Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 8 | Wednesday, March 18, 2020

THE SAVVY BUSINESSWOMAN INDULGE A1

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

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Guillermo Japona Jr, Environmental Management assistant of the city government of Davao, continues with his daily routine of tidying up and watering the plants around Quezon Park despite the threat of Covid-19 in Davao City, a day after Araw ng Davao celebration. Lean Daval Jr

KEEP IT GOING DCCCII, city gov't. mull economic plan amid Covid-19 threat

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) will be working with the city government of Davao in coming up with a contingency economic plan to help the Davao business community, which is expected to experience losses amid the threat of Covid-19, a new coronavirus 2019.

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DCCCII president John Carlo Tria told Edge Davao that the common sentiment among members of the business sector is how to continue doing business amid the Covid-19 threat.

“Our major concern is

to keep business �lowing while observing maximum precautions in line with government’s. We are closely coordinating with the city government of Davao on the matter,” said Tria.

DCCCII is urging the

business community to continue doing business but to observe maximum precautions imposed by the city government of Davao such as strict social distancing and hygiene procedures, which

KEEP IT GOING, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Malacañan Palace on Monday evening. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Curfew, liquor ban P up in Davao de Oro

PRRD thanks health workers for coronavirus response

By MAYA M. PADILLO he province of Davao de Oro is now implementing a province-wide curfew and liquor ban, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., which took effect on Monday (March 16), a day after the �irst coronavirus positive patient from the province was reported.

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The province-wide curfew and liquor ban hours will be strictly observed in all barangays as long as the province is under partial lockdown, or under a mandatory community

quarantine as declared by Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy also last Monday.

“Isa pud na sa among na-agreehan gahapon nga tanan munisipyo magpa-

tuman ug curfew ug liquor ban from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. kung mag violate, naa ta’y provisions under Quarantine Act puwede sila ma�ine ug makulong,” Uy said in a phone interview on government-owned Davao Disaster Radio 87.5 on Tuesday.

In accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9271 or Quarantine Act of 2004 Section 4, those who refuse to follow or will not cooperate or will violate the order shall be penalized with �ine ranging from

P10,000 to P50,000 and or imprisonment of not more than one year.

However, the curfew will not cover workers in the banana plantations in the province.

“Except tong mga workers sa banana plantations kay kinahanglan na nila magsayo ug trabaho.

An average banana plantation worker starts work at 5 a.m. Kinahanglan ipakita nila ilang mga ID,” Uy said.

Uy said following the declaration of partial lock-

bingo, electronic games facilities, cockpits, cinemas, karaoke places, bars, arcade shops, and similar establishments are temporarily suspended.

“All these places will temporarily shut down their operation pending the (reactivation) of their business permits,” Rivera said.

Rivera directed the business permits and licensing division and all barangay chairmen to ensure its full compliance and warned that the local government will permanently cancel the business permits of the violators.

The closure order was among the new directives

issued by Rivera through six EOs, which all took effect Tuesday, to complement with the travel restriction and curfew implemented starting the weekend.

Under EO No. 13, Rivera ordered the closure of the city international airport to all passenger �lights and related operations.

“But the cargo and supply �lights will still continue,” the mayor told reporters.

He said the move was in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 922, which declared a public health emergency nationwide, and the raising by the Department of

Health (DOH) of Code Red (Sub-level 2) due to the Covid-19 threat.

The President had ordered the suspension of domestic �lights from Metro Manila, currently the center of the disease outbreak.

The airport closure affects at least 11 outbound passenger �lights from the city to Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Clark in Pampanga.

Through EOs 14, 15, 17 and 18, Rivera banned the disembarkation and embarkation of vessel crews in all city ports and ordered stricter land travel in and out of the city, temporary suspension of operations

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GenSan temporarily shuts down firms over virus threat

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he city government has temporarily shut down the operations of entertainment and recreation-related establishments effective Tuesday as a control measure against the spread of the deadly 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Mayor Ronnel Rivera ordered the closure through Executive Order (EO) No. 16 issued on Monday afternoon amid fears over the rising con�irmed cases of Covid-19 in parts of the country.

He said the business permits of resorts, recreational facilities, internet cafes, bowling lanes, online

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Monday thanked doctors, nurses, and other health workers for attending to patients who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Duterte, in a televised public address, also vowed to express his gratitude to them “in a more tangible way” when the health crisis is over.

He also directed the departments of budget and management (DBM) and health (DOH) to �ind a way to best compensate health workers.

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros called for the grant of hazard pay to health workers, government employees, military and police, security personnel, service workers and other frontliners in the government’s efforts

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/V Francis Xavier, a roll on-roll off (RoRo) vessel from Manila that was turned away by authorities at the Nasipit port in Agusan del Norte, �inally found a safe harbor here Monday morning, allowing at least 491 passenger to disembark.

Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno said he allowed the ship to dock in the port of Macabalan here after the Philippine Coast Guard told him authorities in Nasipit refused to accommodate the vessel.

Health workers wearing gloves and armed with

to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

Under the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (Republic Act 7305) doctors, nurses and other health workers whose work exposes them to “danger, occupational risks and perils to life” must receive an additional hazard pay which can be as much as 25 percent of their monthly basic salary, depending on their pay grade.

Health workers, peace and order of�icers, workers from night shift with valid IDs, and local government of�icers, are exempted from the “enhanced community quarantine” which will be in effect from March 17 until April 12.

Since mass public transportation facilities

PRRD THANKS, P9

thermal scanners immediately examined all the passengers as they left the ship.

None of the passengers registered more than 38 degrees centigrade after they were scanned with thermal guns by a team from the Department of Health-Region 10.

Moreno said at least 22 buses were waiting for the arriving passengers at the port and immediately whisked them away.

“The buses left the port immediately bound for the provinces of eastern Min-

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VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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Go pushes for special session to tackle add’l Covid-19 budget

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Buses plying the Davao City-Tagum City route line up as passengers are being thoroughly checked at Task Force Davao checkpoint in Brgy.

Lasang, Davao City in what seems to be their last trip for this month as

the city government of Davao implemented a lockdown in the northside entry of the city to contain the spread of Covid-19. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD ensures public of sufficient food supply

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resident Rodrigo Duterte vowed to provide the public with suf�icient food supplies after placing the entire of Luzon under “enhanced community quarantine” on Monday.

In a televised public address, he asked Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista to “utilize all vehicles of government available” to distribute food packages in communities amid reports of panic buying and hoarding of basic goods.

“Just go around…maybe asking if there is somebody starving or in need of food. It behooves upon the barangay captain…this is a mandatory duty. It does not have to have a law be-

cause the proclamation itself suggests that there is really a need for you to work with government,” he said.

He said local government executives who fail to provide communities with food will be liable for dereliction of duty.

“The barangay captain should call a number and at least food, rice, and some ulam puwede niyo ibigay sana para sa ating mga kababayan (viand that they can give to our citi-

Tourists told to leave as travel ban looms on Siargao Island

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wing to the COVID-19 threat, the Surigao del Norte provincial government wanted foreign and local tourists to immediately leave Siargao Island, causing anxiety to some of them.

Surigao Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas issued the advisory on Sunday as part of measures to prevent the entry of the dreaded novel coronavirus disease into the shores of Siargao Island.

“All temporary visitors (whether foreigner or local) in Siargao are hereby advised to leave immediately,” he said.

According to Matugas, the term “visitor” refers to tourists or any person visiting Siargao for purposes of pleasure or business.

Some foreign guests on the island were worried by the advisory from the

provincial government for them to leave Siargao Island.

“We are willing to leave but it’s such so weird that we have nowhere to go as almost all other places are banning tourists, closing ports,” said Sara Meadows from the United States.

Ras Linga, a Filipino-American who frequents the island, said it would be better to stay and undergo self-quarantine than go somewhere else where they might get infected and spread the novel coronavirus disease.

A travel ban will also be imposed on Siargao Island, which is among the top 10 best tourist destinations in the world according to renowned travel magazine Conde Nast, starting March 18 until March 30, the governor said.

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zens),” he said.

He said those who refuse to work for fear of catching Covid-19 had no right to be in their elected positions.

“If there is a barangay captain who does not ful�ill his duty in going around and trying to �ind out how the citizens are faring... if you are afraid to die of Covid-19, then you have no business being a barangay captain,” he said.

Bautista will spearhead these food supply initiatives, he said.

He also bared that San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating of�icer Ramon Ang and other food conglomerates also promised to provide suf�icient food.

“I have been assured

by Ramon Ang mismo (himself) of San Miguel and other conglomerates that there will be suf�icient food—that there will be no hunger in the coming weeks because we have enough supplies,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also urged local government executives to come up with their own measures to minimize the risk of contracting Covid-19.

The enhanced community quarantine in Luzon will be in effect until April 12, coinciding with the entire end of the Holy Week.

Under this quarantine, only private establishments providing basic necessities related to food,

PRRD ENSURES, P9

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is in favor of holding a special session of Congress to approve a supplemental budget to address the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in the country.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, made this remark after the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations approved a PHP1.6-billion supplemental budget for the Department of Health (DOH) last March 10.

He said he will call for a special session if the government’s current funds would be insuf�icient.

“Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang pagtulong natin sa mga nangangailangan (We cannot set aside helping those in need).

Now, more than ever, we, as elected of�icials, must do everything we can to be of service to the Filipino people,” he said in a statement.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, assured that government still has suf�icient funds available to combat Covid-19.

“Wala tayong problema sa funds. Gaya ng sinabi na ni Secretary Dominguez (We don’t have a problem with funds. Just like Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez said), we have suf�icient funds,” he said in a Palace brie�ing on Monday.

To date, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice (PCSO) have provided PHP2 billion and PHP420 million, respectively, to acquire Covid-19 test kits.

There is also around PHP539 million in DOH savings and PHP81 million from the DOH Quick Response Fund that can be utilized.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) still has available contingency funds on standby.

Moreover, the decla-

ration of a state of public health emergency allows local government units to utilize their local disaster risk reduction management funds under Republic Act 10121.

Most recently, the Asian Development Bank also pledged to grant of USD3 million to �ight Covid-19.

Earlier, the DOH said it needed some PHP3 billion to respond to the rising number of infected patients. Of this amount, PHP2.35 billion would be spent on protective gear for health workers and PHP933 million for the Bureau of Quarantine.

It is also seeking an additional PHP139 million for the procurement of 40,000 test kits for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

Meanwhile, Go appealed to the private sector to release 13th month pay earlier to help their employees provide for their basic needs while under enhanced community quarantine.

He also asks employers to waive moratorium on rental fees for renters and tenants and a one-month reprieve on bills payments from basic utility providers.

He urged the public anew stay indoors as con�irmed cases of Covid-19 have surged to 140 with 12 deaths.

Currently, the entire Luzon is now under “enhanced community” quarantine which requires “strict” home quarantine in all households, the suspension of transportation, the regulation of food and essential health services, and heightened uniformed personnel’s presence to enforce quarantine procedures.

“It means we will have to stay at home. Work will be suspended. When you say there is quarantine in your homes, it means you don’t need to travel. You don’t need transportation for that except only for medical and humanitarian reasons,” Panelo said.

(PNA)

Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy of Davao de Oro says in an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday that the province is implementing a curfew from 9 p.m to 5 a.m. as part of the effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Lean Daval Jr

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

Diokno open to higher than 25 bps rate cut

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The different banks in the country are encouraging the public to utilize digital and online platforms for their payment requirements and inquiries as the government implements community quarantine to contain Covid-19. Lean Daval Jr

Banks ask clients to use digital, online platforms

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anks are urging the general public to utilize �inancial institutions’ digital and online platforms for their payment requirements and inquiries as the government implements community quarantine to address the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

In an advisory, Tan-led Philippine National Bank (PNB) said it will shorten by an hour the operations of its branches nationwide from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting March 17, 2020 “to comply with the curfew being implemented in light of the spread of Covid-19”.

“For ease of doing business, we encourage you to use your PNB Internet Banking and Mobile Banking App. For those

still unenrolled, we recommend that you enroll in our digital channels: PNB Internet Banking https:// portal.pnb.com.ph/mib/ login.do?app=PN and the PNB Mobile Banking App (downloadable via App Store or Google Play),” it said.

The PNB also urged its clients to check its Facebook account, PNBph, and its website, www.pnb.com. ph, for more announce-

P27.1-B package unveiled to address COVID-19 threat

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he government has announced a P27.1-billion package to help contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to provide economic relief to businesses and livelihood affected by the threat.

“As directed by President Duterte, the government will provide targeted and direct programs to guarantee that bene�its will go to our workers and other affected sectors. We have enough but limited resources, so our job is to make sure that we have suf�icient funds for programs mitigating the adverse effects of COVID-19 on our economy,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a news release late Monday.

This �iscal support package crafted by the government's economic team includes:

The mobilization of an additional P3.1 billion to contribute directly to efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, including the acquisition of test kits. The funds came from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice (PCSO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB); P2.0 billion representing the initial budget set aside by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for social protection programs for vulnerable workers, to be used for wage subsidy/�inancial support to COVID affected establishments and workers; Mobilization of an existing P1.2 billion in the Social Security System (SSS) to cover unemployment bene�its for dislocated workers; The Technical Educa-

P27.1-B, P10

ments.

Sy-led BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) said it is business-as-usual for all its branches and of�ices despite the community quarantine in Metro Manila.

It also assured its clients of an uninterrupted service through its over 1,400 branches around the country that are complemented by more than 4,400 automated teller machines (ATMs) and digital channels via internet and mobile platforms.

The bank assured its clients it has back-up sites for its business continuity plans (BCP), such as those for client servicing, trading and treasury, operations and information technology.

The BDO also said it has identi�ied key personnel

that will man both critical and non-critical units to ensure banking operations continue even in the event of a severe business disruption.

“To date, the impact of Covid-19 has been limited with the Bank experiencing normal loan and deposit growth. However, the longer-term impact is uncertain and will depend on the Covid-19’s duration, depth and scale. With its robust business franchise and solid balance sheet, BDO believes it will remain resilient in the face of this current challenge,” it added.

Ty-led Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Monday,

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angko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) of�icials are eyeing at least 25 basis points cut this week as additional measure to help contain the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), similar to what is being done overseas.

“The MB (Monetary Board) might consider a higher cut given the synchronized global monetary easing, sharp fall in oil prices, (and) worsening Covid-19 breakout,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in reply to journalists’ query through mobile phone messaging.

BSP’s policy-making monetary board will have its second rate-setting meet on Thursday, and is widely expected to deliver at least 25 basis points.

If ever the Board reduces the central bank’s key rates this week, it will be the second for the year after the 25-basis-point slash last February.

Diokno earlier committed a 50-basis-point reduction in the BSP rates this year in a bid to reverse the total of 175 basis points increase in key rates in 2018,

which was made to address that year’s elevated in�lation rate.

In recent days, central banks around the globe announced more aggressive measures due to, among others, the bid to address the economic impact of Covid-19, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared as a global pandemic because of the volume of cases which has surpassed 150,000.

For one, the Federal Reserve on Sunday announced another emergency rate cut of 100 basis points, after the 50-basis-point cut last March 3, to support the world’s largest economy to the impact of the global pandemic.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) on Monday also announced its decision to increase its asset purchases program to help stabilize �inancial markets.

It will double its annual exchange traded fund (ETF) purchases from 6 trillion yen to 12 trillion yen, and vowed to increase its target of commercial paper and corporate bond purchases by 2 trillion yen by end-September. (PNA)

SM Group pledges P100M for COVID-19 supplies, kits

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he SM Group has pledged P100 million for efforts to battle the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

In the statement, the group said the amount would go toward providing personal protective equipment (PPEs), test kits, alcohol, and other medical supplies to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), and other hospitals.

"As there is a local shortage of personal protective equipment - face masks, gowns, visors, hoods, gloves, and shoe covers, SM is bringing these PPEs in

for government hospitals who badly need them," it said.

SM said it has reached out to Manila Healthtek, Inc., the spinoff corporation that will manufacture local test kits developed by the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health researchers, to distribute 20,000 tests for free to government hospitals.

The test kits are currently undergoing �ield testing.

SM said it is also working with PGH and RITM to see how to expand laboratory testing capacity.

"To provide PPEs and medical supplies to an even

A butcher prepares pork cuts in preparation for the influx of shoppers at a grocery in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Yeong Gi Kim, official representative of MyongJi Medical Foundation and CancerRop in the Philippines, with Tessa Artadi, Udenna Corporation Head of Marketing and Communications, at Udenna’s Headquarters in Bonifacio Global City.

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Sample state-of-the-art COVID-19 diagnostic kits donated by Udenna Foundation, in cooperation with South Korea’s MyongJi Hospital, to the Department of Health.

Udenna Foundation, South Korea hospital donate COVID-19 test kits

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denna Foundation, in cooperation with MyongJi Hospital, donates 1,000 COVID-19 diagnostic kits to the Department of Health on Friday, March 13, as part of the private sector’s efforts to combat COVID-19.

“These are very somber times. COVID-19 is not just a national problem but is a global epidemic. While we’re literally disallowed to join hands, nothing is stopping the private sector, the local

government, and the international community from responding collectively to contain, or at the very least slow the spread of COVID-19. We all have a role, and this is our small share to help,” said Uden-

na Foundation Chairman Dennis A. Uy. MyongJi Hospital played a vital part in the diagnosis and treatment of the �irst batch of patients con�irmed of having been infected with COVID-19 in Seoul, being one of the �irst hospitals in South Korea to successfully treat con�irmed cases with the use of an accurate and state-of-theart coronavirus diagnostic kit, newly developed by its subsidiary Biomedical

company- CancerRop. The detection kit developed can push up the accuracy of the diagnosis results to 99.9 percent, while decreasing the time required to less than two hours.

Conducting virus tests is one of the preemptive measures to block the spread of COVID-19. This will allow heightened vigilance and early detection of people who are positive for the virus so they can be safely isolated and cared for, and then quar-

standards set by the Department of Labor and Employment while constructing the Part A of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP) of Davao City Water District (DCWD) which includes the Water Intake Structure, Raw Water Transmission Lines, Water Treatment Plant, Hydroelectric Power Plant, and

Treated Water Transmission Lines.

DCWD is working on the Part B of the DCBWSP which includes the Pipeline Improvements, Storage Facilities, and Pipeline Appurtenance.

Once DCBWSP is completed in 2021, it will provide over 300 million liters of treated water per day for Davaoenos.

“The safety of our team members remains to be our top priority. As such, we ensure compliance of our safety policies.” said Ones Almario, Apo Agua’s General Manager.

This project has provided employment opportunities to Apo Agua’s partner communities, having over a thousand

antine their identi�ied contacts to contain the virus quickly.

“We are encouraged by these signs of solidarity. We thank the Udenna Foundation and South Korea’s MyongJi Hospital for the opportunity to assist the Philippines in building a response system to COVID-19," shared Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. As the World Health Organization has stated, countries that continue

�inding and testing cases and tracing their contacts not only protect their own people, they can also affect what happens in other countries, and globally.

The aim is the same: stop transmission and prevent the spread of the virus.

For the �irst three categories, we must focus on �inding, testing, treating and isolating individual cases, and following their contacts.

Aside from donating

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Apo Agua’s safety milestone: 2M safe man-hours DOST XI, UNDP Philippines

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po Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua) celebrated another safety milestone: clocking in 2 million safe manhours without lost time, last March 6.

Apo Agua, a joint venture company between Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. and J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation, continue to meet the safety

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conduct ‘SalikLakbay’

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he Department of Science and Technology Region XI (DOST XI) and the United Nations Development Programme Philippines (UNDP Philippines) held a Solutions Mapping Training Workshop on March 6, 2020 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.

The activity dubbed as “SalikLakbay”, a combination of the words ‘Saliksik’ (to explore/ research) and ‘Lakbay’ (to journey/ go in an adventure), aims to equip participants with background knowledge, skills and practical experience in conducting solutions mapping in grassroots communities.

As part of the training, the participants, composed of representatives from DOST XI, Higher Educational Institutions and Civil Society Organizations in the region, toured the Agdao Public Market to identify needs and opportunities by looking for solutions developed by the people in the area.

They were also taught

by UNDP Philippines’ Accelerator Lab Head of Solutions Mapping, Mr. Rex Lor, on how to document, archive and upload collected data to the solutions mapping database.

DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony C. Sales, CESO III said the training provides a useful tool that shall determine what solutions are available within the target communities.

“With this strategy, we hope to engage more the communities that we help by engaging them in solutions mapping,” Dr. Sales said.

He further stressed that DOST will be conducting actual SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping in selected communities in each province in Davao region, one of which will be in Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental.

The activity was organized and facilitated

by DOST’s Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development Program (GRIND) and UNDP Philippines.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

EDITORIAL Discipline is the key At this very stage of the coronavirus pandemic, there is nothing that can help every Filipino but self discipline.

Despite the imposition of the community quarantine in Metro Manila, there seems to be nothing that will stop people from going out of their homes and go about with their everyday routine--mostly those who are working in offices and companies that did not impose any emergency work modifications and adjustments like the work from home system. People cannot also be blamed for not going to work as being absent from their work could cost them their income, and worst, they could be fired from their jobs.

But it appears, these people do not have a choice. They need to work, otherwise their families will starve.

That’s the hard part. But that’s also the reality.

However, the risk of breaking the lockdown or the community quarantine order far outweigh the gains.

The purpose of the lockdown, which has been successful in other countries by far, is to contain the virus from spreading.

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

Without any host for the virus to find a home, they will eventually expire. According to experts, the coronavirus has a lifespan of 14-21 days. That is the time needed by Filipinos to stay locked inside their homes and deprive the virus of a human host.

Companies and businesses will have to make the supreme sacrifice. It will hurt in the meantime, but it has to be done.

If their concern is that they cannot afford to lose income for a few weeks, the same businesses must think the long-term effect of a feared uncontrolled infection where the impact would be catastrophic. So too the ordinary workers who must take safety and survival as their primary option.

On the part of the government, regulating the prices of commodities and appealing to private utility companies to freeze payment of charges and other mitigating actions in this extraordinary times may have to be done as an exercise of the state’s police power.

The country can weather this crisis but everyone has to be in this together.

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.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

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DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

SEAFARER’S PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER AS COMPENSABLE WORK-RELATED ILLNESS A seafarer’s psychological disorder or schizophrenia is considered as a compensable work-related illness triggered by the work environment on board the vessel.

In compensation and disability claims, probability and not the ultimate degree of certainty is the test of proof. The precise medical causation of the illness is not signi�icant, as long as the illness supervened in the course of employment and is reasonably shown to have been either precipitated or aggravated by work condition.

Using this principle, the Supreme Court awarded total permanent disability bene�its to seafarer Eduardo Obrero in Leonis Navigation Co., Inc. and World Marine Panama S.A. v.

Obrero,( G.R. No. 192754, September 07, 2016).

The Court stressed that mariner’s previous unremarkable stints as a seafarer reasonably support the conclusion that his work environment increased his risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia.

The seafarer’s demotion to messman—which is inherently

work-related and was conveniently ignored by the employer in its pleadings—appears to be the event that precipitated his mental disorder.

He was able to accomplish his tasks without any issue as an ordinary seaman (OS) and later as an able seaman (AB) from his previous contracts.

It was only after he was deployed as with a demoted position as a messman onboard M/V Brilliant Arc that he began experiencing sleep interruptions and started having persecutory delusions, ultimately leading to the erratic behaviour detailed in the Master Report.

Applying the standard of substantial evidence, the Court found as reasonable and highly probable the explanation by the seafarer’s personal doctor—that his prolonged stint at sea eventually taxed his coping abilities which rendered him incapable of handling the stress of being demoted.

Substantial evidence is that amount of relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion

The Supreme Court disregarded the company doctor’s categorical declaration that schizophreniform disorder is not work-related since his expertise is general and cancer surgery.

The Court noted that the seafarer’s personal doctor, a psychiatrist, is in a better position to make a more accurate medical assessment with respect to his illness, which is psychiatric in nature and, therefore, her �indings deserve greater weight.

Schizophrenia is the most common form of psychotic disorder which involves a complex set of disturbances of thinking, perception, affect and social behaviour and whose causes are still largely unknown.

It is generally acknowledged that schizophrenia has a multifactorial etiology, with multiple susceptibility genes interacting with environmental insults to yield a range of phenotypes in the schizophrenia spectrum.

Stressful life events are identi�ied as one of the risk factors in most etiological models of schizophrenia, with many

studies reporting an excess of stressful life events in the few weeks prior to the onset of psychotic and affective disorders.

For disability to be compensable the POEA contract, two elements must concur: (1) the injury or illness must be work-related; and (2) the work-related injury or illness must have existed during the term of the seafarer’s employment contract.

The POEA contract de�ines a work-related illness as “any sickness resulting to disability or death as a result of an occupational disease listed under Section 32-A with the conditions set therein satis�ied.”

For illnesses not mentioned under Section 32, the POEA contract creates a disputable presumption in favor of the seafarer that these illnesses are work-related.

In order to establish compensability of a non-occupational disease, reasonable proof of work-connection is suf�icient— direct causal relation is not required. Thus, probability, not the ultimate degree of certainty, is the test of proof in compensation proceeding.

The Supreme Court have already held that schizophrenia may be compensable which negates any blanket exception against it as a compensable illness.

In Cabuyoc v. Inter-Orient (508 SCRA 87), permanent disability compensation for schizophrenia was awarded after �inding that the seafarer’s illness and disability were the direct results of the demands of his shipboard employment contract and the harsh and inhumane treatment of the of�icers onboard the vessel.

In NFD International. v.

NLRC (700 SCRA 53), schizophrenia was declared to be work-related after the employer failed to negate the causal con�luence between the epilepsy suffered by the seafarer after a mauling incident while onboard the vessel and his subsequent af�liction of schizophrenia.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law of�ices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH After President Rodrigo R. Duterte placed Metro Manila in a “community quarantine” starting March 15 until April 14 due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the social media was teemed with comments (some were positive but mostly negative).

In Davao City, there was also confusion when the city government released its Guidelines No. 8 on Covid-19. Although it was not a lockdown, all residents are prohibited from going out of the city. As for those short-term visitors, they are advised to leave the city immediately.

The chaos and misperception are just the beginning. As for this writing, there are already 64 cases and �ive deaths.

Let’s prepare for the impact. As my friend, Dr. Jack Estuart, said: “Things will turn for the worse in the coming days.”

In her Facebook account, Davao City Councilor Mary Joselle Dilig Villafuerte – who’s a physician – urged health professionals to help: “The next several days will be the litmus test of how true we are to our calling; whether the oath we had taken that very day we chose to serve the general public still holds true and clear. Con�irmed cases are continuously on the rise and people around us are scared, not really sure what to do and who

to believe. It is up to us now to either fan their �lame or quench it by remaining calm and composed. No false promises, no fake claims. Just dedication to the task at hand.”

Covid-19 was �irst reported in Wuhan, China in December last year. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its of�icial name and that the virus that causes it is called SARS-Cov-2, as it is similar to the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

From China, Covid-19 spread to other countries, including the Philippines. Today, it is present in all parts of the globe.

This was the reason why WHO declared a pandemic situation.

“Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a conference in Geneva.

“It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjusti�ied acceptance that the �ight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.”

The SARS-Cov-2 spreads from person-to-person. “Someone who is actively sick with Covid-19 can spread the illness to others,” says the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“That is why we recommend that these patients be isolated in the

hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.”

A briefer from the Ministry of Health in Singapore shares the following signs and symptoms of a person having Covid-19. From the �irst to third days, the symptoms are similar to cold, mild throat pains, and no fever and not tired. The person still consumes food and drink as normal.

On the fourth day, the person experiences the following: throat a little bit painful; body feels like drunk; voice becoming hoarse; body temperature around 36.5°; beginning of disturbance in eating habits; mild headaches and mild diarrhea.

On the �ifth day, there is mild body heat; body temperature is between 36.5°-36.7°. Other signs: throat pain and hoarse voice; weak body; and feeling joint pains.

On the sixth day, mild fever with temperature around 37° starts. The person experiences the following: dry cough, exhausted and nauseous, occasional dif�iculty in breathing, �ingers feeling pain, and diarrhea and vomiting. The throat is painful while eating, swallowing food or talking.

On the seventh day, these symptoms appear: higher fe-

ver from 37.4°-37.8°; coughing incessantly with phlegm; body pains and headache; worsening diarrhea; and vomiting.

On the eighth day, the fever increases to around 38° or above 38°. The person is having breathing dif�iculties; heavy feeling in the chest when breathing. Also, he experiences incessant coughs, headaches, joint becoming lame, and buttocks pain.

On the ninth day, symptoms remain unchanged but becoming worse. The fever is worsening so is cough. The person is having dif�iculties in breathing and struggling hard to breathe.

At this stage, blood tests and chest x-ray must be conducted immediately.

“We are facing a public health emergency on two fronts: the Covid-19 and the limitations of our health facilities to respond to a huge segment of our population getting infected with the coronavirus,” said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in a statement.

“We do not have any con�irmed cases as of the moment, but it will not be long before the reality will reach our doorsteps,” she added. “And many of us get sick, our city will be paralyzed and will be at a standstill.”

Davao City is still not in a lockdown. But what happens

when the city will be under lockdown? It means all people will stay at home and avoid at all costs going out. Yes, no school or work but it doesn’t mean a holiday or going out with friends and family and meeting other people.

An overseas Filipino worker, who’s now in Italy and the country is in lockdown, wrote in his social media account: “We have been there. We didn’t listen. We continued to go out and meet people even though we were told not to. We underestimated the situation. And look where we are right now. More than 10,000 Covid-19 cases and we are forced to stay at home.

“Do not do the same mistake like we did,” he urged. “Stay at home while you are not being forced. Do your job as a citizen.

Your role in obedience will lead a big impact to the society. It doesn’t matter if your plans are or were cancelled. Your life and health are more important than that.”

Let’s listen to the health experts and authorities. As President Duterte himself said, “(Covid-19) is a serious one. Do not belittle it. Do not minimize it, but do not kill yourself with worry… If you do not cooperate, the problem would start and would start with you and will end with you.” – ###

8 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

COVID-19: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

(First of Two Parts)

O

n March 11, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was having a lunch meeting with Committee on Environment Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in Manila. At night, it was announced that the senator was under self-quarantine as he had an encounter with a person who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Hearing the news, Mayor Sara agreed voluntarily to go on a self-imposed home quarantine and signed up as a person under monitoring (PUM) under the City Health Of�ice, according to the City Mayor’s Of�ice.

The lady chief executive said she decided to undergo self-quarantine in order for others to be protected “if she may be found to be sick in the next few days.” Although she was con�ined in an isolated bedroom, it was still “business as usual” as she was in constant communication with her employees through electronic mails, messaging and video tele-conferencing.

In fact, it didn’t stop her from sharing her thoughts on the viral disease that has been creating fear and confusion among Filipinos. “We are facing a public health emergency in two fronts: the COVID-19 and the limitations of our health facilities to respond to a huge segment of our population getting infected with the coronavirus,” she said in a statement.

As of this writing, the Department of Health said that the Philippines has now 187 con�irmed cases of COVID-19. A total of 12 deaths have been reported, one of whom is from Northern Mindanao.

Last Sunday, on March 15, the Davao City government issued Executive Order (EO) No. 10 declaring the entire city under a community quarantine. “We are one step away from lockdown since after community quarantine, it’s already lockdown,” said the mayor in a live interview on government-owned Davao Disaster Radio 87.5.

She said lockdown is resorted to in order to control the viral disease from spreading. Although there is still no con�irmed case, she said

if ever there’s one con�irmed case in Davao City, she would not hesitate to declare a lockdown so that the disease won’t spread and can still be controlled.

Another reason for the EO: “There are limited testing kits and results take too long to become available.”

The EO, signed by the mayor, has included some community quarantine rules. For one, people are urged to stay in their homes and may come out only to work, buy food or medicines, go to the hospital or take out garbage.

Mass gatherings and classes from kindergarten to post-graduate studies are suspended until after the State of Public Emergency declaration has been lifted. In like manner, religious activities are suspended.

Government work will not be disrupted and employees living in other parts of the region may enter the city but necessary screening procedures must be followed. Private companies, on the other hand, must prepare and implement �lexible workplan for their employees.

As much as possible people must stay at home and advised to procure and buy goods online from local suppliers. Meetings and bank transactions can also be done online.

Public transportations are still allowed and so with cargo deliveries and “all other activities that may be determined in the future to be applicable in community quarantine,” the EO said.

On February 11 the World Health Organization (WHO) gave a name to the novel coronavirus that was �irst reported in Wuhan, China: SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus was similar to the pathogen that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which affected 26 countries and resulted in more than 8,000 cases in 2003.

Exactly a month later, the WHO �inally declared the viral disease that has spread from China to almost all parts of the world, infecting more than 118,000 and killing more than 4,000 people as a pandemic.

“Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly,” WHO chief Tedros

Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a brie�ing in Geneva. “It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjusti�ied acceptance that the �ight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.”

Dr. Edsel Salvaña, an infectious disease specialist, molecular epidemiologist and the director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Institutes of Health at the University of the Philippines, agrees.

“As far as we know, this virus seems to be less deadly than SARS and is specifically deadly to elderly, the very young and those with medical conditions.”

According to the WHO, the incubation period – the time from exposure to onset of symptoms – is about two weeks. The common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing dif�iculties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

“We are not at the mercy of this virus,” Tedros pinpointed.

“All countries must aim to stop transmission and prevent the spread of COVID-19, whether they face no cases, sporadic cases, clusters or community transmission.”

A “tsunami that has swept us all.” That was how Dr. Daniele Macchini likened the COVID-19, which has swept Italy. The WHO reported that one�ifth of Italians infected with the virus need hospital treatment which “could be enough to overwhelm healthcare systems if the epidemic spreads.”

So much so that on March 9, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte placed all of Italy and its 60 million people under lockdown in an attempt to contain SARS-Cov-2. The drastic measures, CNN reports, include “blanket travel restrictions, a ban on all public events, the closure of schools and public spaces such as movie theaters, and the suspension of religious services including funerals and weddings.”

Dr. Macchini, an intensive care unit physician, wrote in his Facebook account where, to quote the words of Ceri Parker,

the commissioning editor of Agenda, “he issued an emotional warning on the reality that could await elsewhere if complacency wins.” The physician said he understood “the need not to create panic,” but felt “the message of the danger of what is happening” was not reaching people.

“I still see people ignoring the recommendations and people who gather together complaining that they cannot go to gym or play soccer tournaments, I shiver,” he wrote. “I also understand the economic damage and I am also worried about that. After this epidemic, it will be hard to start over.”

If Filipinos won’t try to work together to defeat the virus, this thing may happen in almost all hospitals, including those in Davao City. “The cases multiply, up to a rate of 1520 hospitalizations a day all for the same reason,” Dr. Macchini wrote. “The results of the swab now come one after the other: positive, positive, positive.

Suddenly the emergency room is collapsing. Emergency provisions are issued: help is needed in the emergency room. A quick meeting to learn how to use the emergency room and a few minutes later I’m already downstairs, next to the warriors of the war front.”

“The screen of the PC with the chief complaint is always the same: fever and respiratory dif�iculty, fever and cough, respiratory insuf�iciency, etc. Exams, radiology always with the same sentence: bilateral interstitial pneumonia. All needs to be hospitalized.

Some already needs to be intubated, and goes to the intensive care unit. For others, however, it is late.”

Let’s not allow this chaos to happen. “This crisis is very, very clear,” President Rodrigo R. Duterte said when he placed Metro Manila in community quarantine last March 11.

“COVID-19 is spreading throughout (the world), including the Philippines.

“It’s a serious one. Do not belittle it. Do not minimize it, but do not kill yourself with worry… If you do not cooperate, the problem would start and it would start with you and it will end with you.”

But there’s a better way to end the disease with a good ending. And that is to “�latten the curve.” It simply means “cancel everything.” In industrialized countries, like Italy, this has been adopted.

“All the decisions by public of�icials and businesses are aimed at one goal: slowing down the spread of the virus to avoid overburdening a healthcare system that doesn’t

have the infrastructure to handle a sudden surge of tens of thousands of cases at once,” wrote Tara Haelle for Forbes magazine.

“Without mass closing, that surge is exactly what will happen.”

Mayor Sara seems to be doing this when she declared community quarantine for the city. “There is a need immediately to be aggressive and proactive on the impending spread of COVID-19 in Davao City,” the EO explained.

Now, going back to the Forbes feature: “Basically, if you assume a certain number of cases are inevitably going to occur – which epidemiologists can somewhat predict based on how the disease is behaving – continuing business-as-usual allows cases to escalate rapidly in just a few weeks, spiking so high at once that they completely overwhelm the hospitals. In such scenario, more deaths are likely because there simply aren’t enough hospital beds, enough face masks, enough IV bags, even enough healthy doctors and nurses to care for everyone at once.”

Statistics showed the Philippines has only 89,000 hospital beds for more than 109,000,000 people. The intensive care unit beds for critical cases is only 1,000. (To be concluded)

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

EDGEDAVAO WOMEN

THE SAVVY BUSINESSWOMAN

THIS WOMEN’S MONTH, we take a peek at the lives of inspiring women to see how they live life and take on daily challenges with style and grit.

Find inspiration in the story of Ana Chio, 40, the businesswoman behind waxing salon Lay Bare and playhouse Kinder Club in SM Lanang Premier.

What’s an accomplishment that women should never forget to celebrate?

Women should never forget

to celebrate a successful and balanced life. Women should never be apologetic about being able to take care of their family and at the same time being able to go after their dreams and make them into reality. Women are naturally driven and passionate and at the end of the day what we do, we do for our family.

How can women team up to make change in the community?

Our community today has so much challenges, and in a time where the context of growing

up has immensely changed, women can team up by being great examples to our children and the younger generation.

We should teach our children that authenticity and trying to make a difference in our community is what really matters in life. Success is measured by making sure that that the world we live in is always inspired by doing the right thing.

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration is my family.

They keep me focused and driven and gives me a strong desire to succeed in every as-

piration I put my mind into. I want my daughter to learn the value of hard work.

you like to shop for feel-good looks and outfits?

I love Promod and Uniqlo.

What word would you use to describe the modern Filipino woman?

Empowered. The modern Filipina knows what she wants and knows how to get it to make a difference in society.

How do you pamper yourself in SM after a long day of work?

Eating! I love eating with my family. I also like grocery shopping; it keeps me relaxed – a great stress reliever!

What fashion accessory/item makes you feel confident everyday?

Rings. I love rings.

Share a favorite memory of you in SM. My daughter and I always look forward to late night shopping during the holidays! We love mid night sales!

Which SM store/brand do

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

GLOBE PROVIDES 30-DAY BILL PAYMENT EXTENSION FOR ALL ITS POSTPAID CUSTOMERS NATIONWIDE IN LIGHT OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19, Globe is giving all its mobile and broadband customers including business and enterprise clients nationwide an extra 30 days from the due date to settle their monthly bills.

“Globe understands that during these difficult times, the need to be connected and informed on the latest developments in the fight against the global pandemic is very important to everyone. Globe believes the extension of the bill payment will be one less worry for our customers especially during these difficult times,” Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO said.

The move is in support of the government’s call for people especially in Metro Manila to stay at home and practice social distancing to minimize possible exposure to the virus.

To track down data usage, subscribe to offers in order to get more data, or pay bills, Globe customers may download and use the GlobeOne app or the Globe At Home app free of charge. GCash is also an available option to settle their bills at their own convenience.

Aside from the 30-days bill payment extension, Globe has provided free and unlimited internet connection via its GoWiFi services at select hospitals in Metro Manila to help medical frontliners, patients and their loved ones remain connected and informed.

Globe customers can also access the official sites of the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) free of data charges to stay updated on the latest pronouncements coming from the government on COViD-19.

Likewise, Globe and TM customers who subscribed to KonsultaMD may get in touch with a doctor via the 79880 telehealth hotline without incurring mobile call charges. KonsultaMD has removed the P1 per minute charge for calls to the 79880 mobile hotline to make it easier for the public to avail of medical advice anytime they want to. Aside from convenience, this service aims to decongest hospitals and immediately get medical advice especially on symptoms of COVID-19.

As more companies implement telecommuting and work from home, Globe continues to remind customers to be conscientious when using the internet by avoiding the use of torrent as this practice hogs bandwidth and negatively impacts other internet users.

IWANT OFFERS OVER 1,000 FREE MOVIES TO PINOYS AT HOME AS FILIPINOS heed the call to stay at home, iWant offers its wide collection of more than 1,000 movies that they can binge-watch for free for a limited time – from chick flicks to laugh-out-loud comedies and family dramas.

After downloading the iWant app on iOs or Android, users can curb the boredom with Vice Ganda’s “Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad,” “Beauty and the Bestie,” “Super Parental Guardians,” “Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin,” “Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy,” as well as Ai-Ai delas Alas’ “Tanging Ina” series.

People who are in the mood for gut-punching drama can pick from “No Other Woman,” “The Mistress,” “One More Chance,” “The Unmarried Wide,” “One More Try,” and “The Love Affair.” iWant’s treasure trove of classic ‘kilig’ films also include Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz’s “A Very Special Love,” “You Changed My Life,” and “It Takes a Man and a Woman” and Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s “Barcelona,” “Crazy Beautiful You,” “She’s Dating the Gangster,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Spend some quality time with the kids and parents with “Feng Shui,” “Unexpectedly Yours,” “Seven Sundays,” and “Four Sisters and a Wedding.” Also included in iWant’s library are indie hits such as “Heneral Luna,” “That Thing Called Tadhana,” and “Kita Kita.”

These are just some of the over 1,000 free titles users can stream on iWant, which has the biggest library of Filipino movies and TV shows in the country. Users can also visit iwant.ph to watch these movies for free.

STYLE

CHIC IN NEUTRAL

EDGED

EDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS are just around the corner and Plains & Prints wants you to reveal your natural beauty with their latest Spring Summer collection featuring fabulous neutrals.

Presenting what chic summer dreams are made of, the Plains & Prints Neutrals collection dresses you up with summer fantasies in mind. Dress up for that golden sunset or for that refreshing vibe by the palm trees by the beach. The collection features dresses, skirts and pants in modern yet comfortable silhouettes with warm neutral tones and prints that evoke a bit of sea, sand, and salt.

The Plains & Prints Spring Summer Neutrals collection is available at all Plains & Prints stores nationwide or online at www.plainandprints.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

JERIC GONZALES DEDICATES NEW SINGLE TO LATE GRANDMOTHER EARLIER THIS MARCH, Magkaagaw lead actor Jeric Gonzales released his newest single under GMA Music entitled ‘Line to Heaven,’ which is a fresh take on the 90s hit by Introvoys.

The Kapuso heartthrob shared how ecstatic he was to have his own rendition of the popular song, “Alam kong hit ‘yang Line to Heaven in the 90s. So, para mabigyan ng chance na gawin ito, it’s an honor.

Na-surprise talaga ako, Introvoys, idol ko ‘yan.”

‘Line to Heaven,’ written by Paco Arespachochaga, is a heartfelt song and the actor has a deeper connection with it, coming from his personal experiences. When asked who would he dedicate it to, Jeric talked about his beloved late grandmother.

“I will dedicate this song to my late grandmother kasi I miss her so much. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nawala na siya, if I will have a time na makausap, mayakap, or mapuntahan siya, kakantahin ko ‘yun sa kaniya.”

The musical arrangement for ‘Line to Heaven’ was made by Kettle Mata. Its performance video will be up soon on GMA Music’s official social media pages.

Currently, Jeric is brewing up an original song with the label. There’s a lot in store for him not only in

acting but also in singing since he is very talented in songwriting and playing instruments.

‘Line to Heaven’ is now available for streaming and download on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other digital stores worldwide.

MEL TIANGCO REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SERBISYONG TOTOO, SIGNS WITH GMA ANEW

GMA News pillar and multi-awarded broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco reaffirms her commitment to Serbisyong Totoo as she renewed her contract with GMA Network on Wednesday, March 11.

Present during the contract signing were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., EVP and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, and SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores. Joining them were Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Jojo Aquio.

A loyal Kapuso since 1996, Tiangco co-anchors GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras and also hosts the award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman. On top of her TV stint, she concurrently serves as the founder and ambassador of GMA Kapuso Foundation, the Network’s socio-civic arm.

Tiangco shares how grateful she is with the Network’s management and looks forward to more years of providing Serbisyong Totoo.

“Walang sawa ang aking pagpapasalamat sa GMA dahil sa mahigit dalawang dekada naming pagsasama ay walang sawa rin ang mabuting pakikitungo nila sa akin. And I always thank the Lord na patuloy akong binibigyan ng lakas upang makapagsilbi at makapagbahagi ng aking kakayahan sa mga Kapuso. I hope and pray na magtuloy-tuloy pa ang pagtitiwala at pagmamahal nila sa akin sa mas marami pang mga taon,” the veteran broadcaster says.

Gozon equally shared

how fortunate GMA is to have Tiangco as a Kapuso.

“Alam naman ng lahat kung gaano kagaling si Mel Tiangco as an anchor.

Hindi lang sa news, pati na rin sa top-rating program na Magpakailanman. At ‘yung kanyang sincerity na makapagserbisyo sa mga tao sa Kapuso Foundation ay talagang hindi mo maku-question.

Kaya naman talagang we are lucky to have Mel Tiangco with us,” he says.

The Kapuso news pillar is the first broadcast journalist to receive the Rotary Peace Award in

2019, the highest award given by the Rotary International District 3830.

Last February 12, Tiangco was hailed the 2020 Distinguished Woman of Service Award by the San Beda University Alumni Association. She was also named “Outstanding Lasallian Media Practitioner for Public Service” by the De La Salle University’s Gawad Midya 2019 and was awarded the Las Damas de Rizal Excellence for Women in Media and Public Engagement by the Las Damas de Rizal-Philippines in 2018.

A4 INdulge!

WOMEN ARTS AND CULTURE TRAVEL TECH

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.13 ISSUE ISSUE 223 •216 WEDNESDAY, 8219 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 22, 18, VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE • TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,JANUARY JANUARY 14, 2020

PHILIPPINES RANKS 1ST IN PAY, FEMALE REPRESENTATION NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ELIMINATES SINGLESONY INTRODUCES NEW GP-VPT2BT IN GENDER DIVERSITY BENCHMARK FORACROSS ASIA REPORT USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES FLEET MAYA ON THE BLOCK A1

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

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by Thomson clothes and accessories made use,Encore. the new ship, Norwegian Reuters, whichoptimum co-funded byThe theoffers Mandayas.

He saidthe they grip achievement is one of the report. noticed thatand some Pasalubong stability comfort latest sustainable steps forward The GDBA, developed through centers including Davao City’s combined with cablefor Norwegian Cruise Line.

In afree partnership between Commuand a 2018, connectivity the Company eliminated nity Business and global advisory reliable dust and moissingle-use plastic straws across firm Willis Towers Watson, anature its fleetresistant and privatedesign. destinalyzes data from close to 4.8 million Compatible with aofvariety tions, and as a result this employees in more than 3,600 of Sony’s latest digital most recent initiative, itcamerwill companies from Philippines, as, the GP-VPT2BT connects replace over sixthe million singleChina, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, easily via Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, creators to simplythe aim and is year.

In addition, brand Japan, shoot and without interfering working toIndonesia. eliminate single-use Countries were ranked across cables or exposed inputs.

Thethe plastic shampoo and condikey metrics of women representanew grip includes useful tioner bottles later athis year.tilt tion in efforts the total workforce, women feature that allows for flexible These are driven by representation at senior level, and vertical angle adjustment as the Company’s Sail & Sustain the pay gap, with the Philippines well as the ability to switch Environmental Program, which emerging with the best from normal to self-shooting is its commitment to diversity minimize performance by averaging mode to with ease. Additionalwaste landfills, reducethe itsrank-

WIRELESS SHOOTING GRIP

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ings of the three indicators. This is the first time the Philippines was covered by the GDBA, now on its fifth edition.

The Gender Pay Gap Women are paid less than men by at least 10% across the 10 markets surveyed, which translates to women being paid at 90 cents or less, for every dollar that a man earns. The Philippines has the lowest pay gap at 10.2%, followed by Indonesia at 17.9%. Singapore lags behind at 24.8% and Japan has the largest pay gap at 26.8% in terms of total compensation.

The report says that disparity in the pay gap attributed Aldevinco domay notbecarry Dagto women’s representation across may cloth. job levels, with more women at the junior level and underrepresented at senior level.

Women Representation in the Total Workforce In terms of women representation the total workforce, MalayCO2inemissions rate, increase sia ranked first at 58.1%, followed sustainable sourcing and invest closely theadjustment Philippines at 56.0%. ly,in itemerging hasbyan wheel technologies.

The 2019 GDBA notes that both can“This be loosened tightened is a veryorspecial and markets are by good tovery allow for characterized seamless operaproud moment for us,” access to education for women, the tion cameras of different saidwith Harry Sommer, president presence of parenting support polisizes gripof and and chiefweights. executiveThe officer cies,includes and progressive initiatives to also a flip button, inNorwegian Cruise Line. “As advance gender diversity. dicator light and line, lock we switch, a leading cruise are

These scores are in stark contrast to the lowest-ranked countries Indonesia and South Korea (both at 39.6%), Japan (33.8%), which all report pervasive gender-based discrimination, and India (20.8%), where women are faced with threats to safety in both domestic and public spheres, restricting their participation in education and the workplace.

in life and the opportunity to take on more senior roles at the workplace, GDBA posits.

Across all markets, women are underrepresented in leadership roles such as C-suite executives and country managers. Moreover, in India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, women account for none of the leadership roles in at least half of the companies surveyed.

Women Representation in Senior Leadership The Philippines leads the region in the representation of women in senior leadership roles at 33%, followed by Malaysia (26.7%) and Hong Kongman (24.7%).

“Wala gud kaayo The GDBA looked “leakMandaya naalso pieces andatmostly ing pipeline,” or the rate of decline T’boli products ang sa Alof women Sa participation from one devinco.

Manila T’boli lang level to another.

Malaysia mostly makita nako nascored gina-the lowest from junior beads to midhimo leakage accent ug Yakan, level at 4.9%, while the Philippines sa Bagobo, balud from Lanao scored the lowest leakage from and Inaul.

Walay something mid-level to senior level at 2.2%. from the Mandaya commuThese figures are in contrast to the nity,” hetosaid. thrilled make such an impact leaking pipeline in Japan—48.8% cotton Dagmay design

by The eliminating single-use beverfrom junior to mid-level and clothing not yetchanged available in and can beisquickly age bottles across our fleet.40.1% from mid-level senior level. theajust market as Limon into tripod simply exIt’s one by oftothe waysand wehis are The leakage may attributed to group are in be the immerpanding the bottom portion, working tostill preserve our oceans cultural biases that hinder women’s sion the stage ofstable, the project. enabling easy handsand destinations we visit. career such as play“Weadvancement, willisevaluate pa their free shooting.

While this just the beginning ing a bigger role in domestic duties, capacity and kung willing sila The GP-VPT2BT Wireless of what we and others can do, which with later makipag-collaborate,” hephase said.

Shooting Grip will bea availwe arecoincides incredibly committed

A Closer Look at the Philippines While the Philippines continues to rank highly across the three metrics considered by the study (representation in the total workforce, representation at the senior level, pay gap), gender imbalance persists in terms of organizational functions. Women are heavily represented in Human Resources (71.0%) and Finance (69.0%) but outnumbered in IT (28.0%).

The representation of women in the workforce also declines with age. Women in the Philippines make more than halfprogram of the total to ourupSail & Sustain workforce from ages 20 to 39, and and believe wholeheartedly in the percentages steadily decline the importance of preserving from age 40 onwards.

According our natural resources.

We willto the report, this may be attributed to continue to strive towards makcare for the elderly, which is integral ing environmentally conscious to Filipino to culture. decisions benefit our earth.”

“The results the founded 2019 GDBA Envisionedofand by are instructive for companies in the American rapper, songwriter,

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

Philippines, even as the country continues rank high on gender actor andtoactivist Jaden Smith equality metrics,” explains Tesinand family, JUST takes an Veloso, Manila Site Officer and novative approach to sourcing Senior Director, Vendor Strategy and packaging the world’s most and Relationship valued resourceManagement - water. Theof Thomson Reuters. revolutionary company focuses data enables us to identify on“The an impact model, taking areas of excellence and improveinto consideration both how the ment. will leadand to better waterThis is sourced packaged. engagement of stakeholders onin a JUST is 100% spring water gender diversity and formulation plant-based carton. The carton of policiesofand programs to adis made 82% renewable matedress identified gaps.

We gain rials – the paper cartonalso is made afrom bettertrees understanding of the wider grown in responsocial and cultural forcesand that the imsibly-managed forests pact the recruitment and retention cap and shoulder are made of women in the workplace.”plastic. from a sugarcane-based The results the recyclable.

2019 GDBA It is refillableofand indicate consistent findings for the JUST has a global presence Philippines in similar reports.

The with bottling facilities in Glenn World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Falls, NY; Ballymena, Northern Global Gender Gap Report 2020 Ireland; and Ballarat, Australia, shows that the Philippines remains thus allowing the company to to be the highestaround ranked Asian meet demand the world country in terms of water genderfrom equality, without shipping a despite falling eight notches the single production source.inJUST global rankings (16th).

WEF takes care to use the The most effireport indicates that the Philippines cient shipping options available. hasFor closed theinformation gap in economic more about participation and opportunity, with Norwegian Cruise Line ships more women in senior leadership and their itineraries, or to book roles, as well as incontact professional and a cruise, please a travel technical professions.

The Philipprofessional, call 888-NCLpines has also closed gaps in educaCRUISE (625-2784) or visit tional attainment. www.ncl.com.

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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

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experts believe is the only way to control the spread of COVID- 19.

Tria said DCCCII is working with the ICT sector to help other businesses migrate to e-commerce like engaging online and electronic commerce.

According to DCCCII’s advisory shared on social media, stores will remain open, but business sector is urged to be prepared to sell, trade and make payments and fund transfers through electronic commerce channels and social media because these does not only make transactions simple, but also protects the staff from possible contaminated cash.

Tria said the business community is also being encouraged to practice online meetings as these allow safe transactions and discussions. He said the business community is also being urged to prepare a staf�ing procedure that assumes a �lexible work plan and work from home plan to assume a reduced number of staff in of�ice.

The chamber also urged cargo companies to practice safe cargo practices as public transportation

and cargo deliveries will continue. DCCCII is also appealing to the owners to observe precautions and instruct clients to do the unloading to prevent exposure to their drivers and delivery personnel must remain in the vehicle to prevent transmission.

The public is being urged to engage also to legitimate product and food delivery services through which deliveries can be made. DCCCII reminded the public to engage only those delivery companies that possess necessary permits such as the Department of Communication and Information Technology – Private Express and/or Messengerial Delivery Service Operators (DICT-PEMEDES) delivery permit and domestic shippers accreditation by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Restaurants and food establishments are also encouraged by DCCCII to adhere to food safety standards and procedures implemented by the city and these include sterilizing utensils for use. In addition, staff and crew must wear personal protective equipment such as masks.

down in the province, the number of public utility vehicles plying on the roads has now reduced. He said because of this, provincial government employees are being dropped off from one station to the capitol through a carpool.

It is among the guidelines under mandatory community quarantine that employees in the private sector and government employees under the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall continue their usual work and are required to implement alternative working arrange-

ment to impose social distancing between and among employees including their clients.

All business establishments in the province are also allowed to continue their usual business transactions and may oversee �lexible schedules provided that the same is in accordance to the law.

“Temporary lang ni nga krisis para mapahinay lang nato ang spread sa disease. Dili ta gusto muabot ang point na mag-close na ang mga tinadahan ug mawad-an ang mga ato ug panginabuhian,” Uy said.

will be suspended, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured health workers that local government units (LGUs) may provide them with transportation to take them to work.

He, however, said public transport will be limited to “restrict movement to the maximum.”

Under enhanced community quarantine, only private establishments providing basic necessities related to food, medicine, banks, power, energy, water, telecommunications, and the like will remain open.

A strict home quaran-

tine will be observed in all households limited to “accessing basic necessities” while the presence of uniformed personnel will be heightened.

There are 142 con�irmed cases of Covid-19 in the country with 12 fatalities, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

With more than 100 countries affected by Covid-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic which means a worldwide spread of a new disease. (PNA)

danao where most of the passengers reside,” Moreno said.

He said the health workers advised the local government units where the passengers belong to place them under a 14-day self-quarantine.

M/V Francis Xavier, a RoRo ship owned by 2Go shipping line, �irst arrived in Cebu City with 931 passengers last weekend

ahead of the lock down ordered by President Duterte in Manila.

About 500 passengers disembarked in Cebu City.

The vessel proceeded only to receive word from Nasipit authorities that the ship will not be allowed to dock in their port.

Moreno said he allowed the ship to dock in Cagayan de Oro for “humanitarian purposes.”

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for some establishments, store closure time in compliance with the city-wide curfew and the prohibition of high-risk and vulnerable members of society from public places.

The mayor said the movement of all crew members of incoming vessels docking at the Makar Port, city �ish port complex and other private ports in the area are prohibited as they will be considered as persons under monitoring (PUM) for Covid-19.

They will remain inside the vessels and observe self-quarantine for 14 days based on the DOH protocol, he said.

Rivera said travels in and out of the city will be severely limited to essential travels such as “work, business, medical and supply needs,” and passenger buses and vans will limit their passengers to comply with the social distancing directives.

He said all travelers coming in and out of the city will undergo registration and checking process, and directed the city police

and the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan to ensure its proper compliance.

To ensure the proper implementation of the citywide curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., he said all covered stores and establishments will close at 8:30 p.m. to allow their workers to return home on time.

These include restaurants, convenience stores, and food chain outlets that operate on a 24-hour basis, he said.

Rivera said all “highrisk and vulnerable” individuals should remain in their homes and prohibited from going to public places.

He said this covers minors aged 17-years-old and below, adults aged 60-years-old and above, pregnant women, people who have special medical needs and immuno-compromised individuals.

“As of now, we are still Covid-19 free but we have to implement these drastic measures to protect our city. We really need the cooperation and understanding of everybody on these,” he added. (PNA)

medicine, banks, power, energy, water, telecommunications, and the like will remain open.

He decided to expand

the quarantine after concluding that “stricter measures are necessary” to prevent Covid-19 from spreading. (PNA)

Lawyer Zander Plaza, provincial administrator, elaborated that only island residents can gain entry to Siargao once the travel ban takes effect, and that they will be required to go on self-quarantine.

As of March 16 morning, at least of 298 people were classi�ied as persons under monitoring (PUMs) in Surigao del Norte.

Siargao Island has 117 PUMs while 45 others are in Surigao City, according to the Department of Health-Caraga (DOH-Cara-

ga).

There are three persons under investigation (PUIs) who were con�ined at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City and two others in Tandag City, it added.

Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr., DOH-Caraga director, said that they are seriously working with other agencies to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic to plague the region.

As of Monday morning, Caraga region remained free from the novel coronavirus disease, he said.

2016 Rio Games, told the BBC. "I put it to the back of my mind this week, but just before the �ight I was told that the competition would end after today, so I was thinking 'oh gosh, I need to make sure I win'."

The BTF had already closed the doors to spectators after Sunday's sessions.

WUHAN SWITCH Africa, Asia and Oceania have held their qualifying tournaments while the Americas one scheduled for Buenos Aires on March 26-April 3 was postponed last week. The �inal worlds were due in Paris on May 13-20.

The Asia and Oceania event was held in Amman, Jordan, this month after being moved from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic.

The task force said it would provide details on the quali�ication process for the other regions at a later date.

"The BTF...took the decision to suspend the event today, amid increasing global travel restrictions and quarantine measures, in order to allow the participants from over 60 countries to adjust their travel plans and return home," the IOC said in a statement.

"The BTF will continue to evaluate the situation daily, aiming to complete the distribution of the remaining Tokyo 2020 boxing quota places in May and June."

"The BTF’s priority remains the quali�ication of athletes on the �ield of play, and it will inform all stakeholders as soon as more information is available," it said.

The IOC will hold talks with heads of international sports organisations on Tuesday in response to the coronavirus outbreak and will also hold an unscheduled Executive Board teleconference to discuss the latest developments.

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9

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GLORIA G. ALDAY who died on August 7, 2005 at Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed by Maria Loretta Cabrera-Balbuena, as the sole and only heir of the deceased per Doc. No.196; PageNo.41; Book No.XXII Series of 2020, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY.MOHAMMAD JAMALUDIN A. GUINOMLA. 3/18, 25.4/01

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wider network of hospitals, SM has also been working actively with UP Medical

Foundation Inc. to reach their network of hospitals," it said.

test kits, MyongJi Hospital will also share with the DOH their treatment protocols for mild, medium, and intensive COVID-19 patients, and conduct online video conferences to further discuss COVID-19.

MyongJi Hospital Chairman Wang Jun Lee, on the other hand, said, "Anxiety and misinformation are spreading at a much faster rate than COVID-19.

Increasing

testing capacity, training health workers, and urging people to be smart and informed can reverse the trajectory of this epidemic.”

MyongJi Hospital, in coordination with Udenna Foundation, will continue to work with DOH to provide guidance and share knowledge to arm people with information to help combat the spread of the virus and allay fears.

employees coming from the host and impact barangays to date.

This milestone af�irms

Apo Agua’s commitment to health and safety while advancing business and communities.

tem," the IGF said of the qualifying system in an email to Reuters.

"The IGF is monitoring the challenges faced by our athletes to participate in events, which continues to change daily, and we currently believe that the system still remains fair to all athletes who are vying for quali�ication to the Tokyo2020 Olympic Games."

In other words, bad luck if you're outside the qualifying cut line and hoping to play your way in.

Though Park is 11th on the overall women's world list, she is only the �ifthranked Korean behind Ko Jin-young, Park Sunghyun, Kim Sei-young and Lee Jeong-eun.

The LPGA Tour has cancelled three tournaments in Asia, and postponed three U.S. tournaments that were scheduled over the next month.

Even if rescheduled, it is unlikely these American tournaments will be played before the Olympic cut-off.

READ: Pistons' Christian Wood tests positive for coronavirus

at least through next month's Masters, means to Woods's hopes.

He is sixth on the American list, behind Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed.

Dustin Johnson has ruled himself out, citing a busy schedule, though he could be joined by others wanting to keep their travel to a minimum unless the coronavirus abates quickly.

Woods, 44, has often stated his desire to play in what would likely be his only chance of being an Olympian, though he has more important matters on his mind given that he was unable to enter last week's Players Championship due to a stiff back.

He has played only twice this year.

The 15-times major champion plays such a limited schedule at the best of times that even if, under a best-case scenario, the PGA Tour cranks back up again in mid-April, there are only a handful of events he will contest before the Olympic deadline.

The Olympic golf tournaments are scheduled to take place from July 30Aug. 2 (men) and Aug. 6-9 (women) at the Kasumigaseki course.

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LAST OLYMPIC CHANCE An even bigger question from a global marketing aspect is what the PGA Tour shutdown,

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VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020

said normal banking operations remain “except for adjustments in banking hours and cut-off times in response to similar adjustments in schedule instituted by the BSP and the BAP (Bankers Association of the Philippines).

It said its BCP is also in place “to ensure that disruptions to our operations and services are minimized or mitigated as we manage the evolving Covid-19 situation.”

Aside from ensuring adequate measures to ensure smooth operations despite the present health situation in the country, the bank said it has also enhanced hygiene and sanitation in all its of�ices and branches, as well as implemented social distancing measures in line with the government’s call.

“Metrobank is continuously monitoring the situation and will update our stakeholders should there be any signi�icant developments. Rest assured that we will do our best to ful�ill our promises of keeping both our customers and our fellow Metrobankers in good hands,” the disclosure added.

The Security Bank Corporation (Security Bank) said it has also stepped up measures to ensure normal operations despite the threat presented by Covid-19.

In a disclosure to the PSE, the bank said it is encouraging its clients to use the online services like the Security Bank Online (SBOL) and the Digibanker for banking transactions.

Clients are also urged to call the bank’s 24/7 cus-

tomer hotline, 8887-9188 and e-mail their queries to customercare@securitybank.com.ph.

“Announcements of any changes to service will be posted on www.securitybank.com.ph,” it said.

The BAP said it supports the government’s measures on Covid-19.

The BAP said it is in constant close coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ensure continuity of banking services and operations to serve the public.

“The banking community shall adhere to the guidance set forth by the Department of Health and relevant agencies to ensure the safety of our people while we remain committed to deliver banking services to the public,” it added. (PNA)

tion and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)'s Scholarship Programs amounting to P3 billion will support affected and temporarily displaced workers through upskilling and reskilling. It is also offering free courses for all who would like to acquire new skills in the convenience of their own homes, mobile phones and computers through the TESDA Online Program; Various programs and projects of the Department of Tourism (DOT) amounting to P14 billion from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to support the tourism industry; P2.8 billion for the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Aid Program of the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC), which provides loans of up to P25,000 each at zero interest for smallholder farmers and �isherfolk affected by calamity and disasters. This initiative includes a oneyear moratorium without interest on payments of outstanding loan obligations of small farmers and �isherfolk (SFF) borrowers under the ACPC Credit Program amounting to P2.03 billion; and P1 billion allotted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for its Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso (P3) Micro�inancing special loan package of the Small Business Corp. (SBC) for affected micro entrepreneurs/micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Also included is the DTI’s ongoing assistance in �inding new supply sources and non-traditional markets for industries affected by supply chain disruptions and the conduct of trade and investment missions to support the continued operation of industry; Additional support mechanisms identi�ied by the Economic Development Cluster include the following: A loan program of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) intended for affected government employees and retirees; Mobilization of funds from government-owned

or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to assist airlines and the rest of the tourism industry; Programs of the largest government banks to help address the impact of the health emergency, such as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)'s Rehabilitation Support Program on Severe Events (RESPONSE), which provides public and private institutions in areas declared under a state of calamity with low-interest loans under a simpli�ied application procedure; and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK)' offer of restructured loan amortizations by giving longer tenor and grace periods, with the option of a �ixed interest rate under the LANDBANK Calamity Rehabilitation Support (LBP CARES); and The grant of temporary and rediscounting relief measures for �inancial institutions, as approved by the Monetary Board (MB).

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier said that, “the MB is ready to deploy any or all its policy tools, as appropriate, to address all challenges to our own �inancial markets and growth prospects.”

Secretary Dominguez also said the government will go ahead on regular budgeted expenditures, as accelerated government spending is now even more necessary to stimulate economic activity and provide direct support to vulnerable groups and individuals.

“The country and the government have all the tools—medical, �inancial and monetary—to successfully handle this situation,” he said.

Amid the pandemic, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado assured that funds for 'Build, Build, Build' projects and all other government projects currently being implemented as well as those for implementation "are available and government purchases for equipment and supplies needed by the DOH and other vital goods and services, including those of the military and the police shall go on unhampered by the current situation.”

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, the one-month community quarantine of the National Capital Region (NCR) may have a transitory impact on the economy, but needs to be closely monitored for necessary adjustments.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said that the DTI is also working directly with the various industry sectors to assure the continued supply and stable prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

The movement of goods and supplies will also remain unhampered.

The DTI has also imposed a price freeze on basic necessities, and has intensi�ied its consumer protection measures to penalize and charge pro�iteers and hoarders, he said.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar reported that in coordination with the Of�ice of the President (OP), DTI, DOH, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), the DA is implementing its Food Resiliency action plan to ensure access to safe and affordable food—initially for the residents of Metro Manila—including but not limited to rice, sugar, vegetables, root crops, eggs, meat and poultry.

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Department of Energy (DOE), in unison with its industry stakeholders, assured the public of full coordination to provide uninterrupted supply of petroleum products and electricity nationwide, in support of continuing vital economic and social services to the public.

Governor Benjamin Diokno of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said, "There is no reason to believe that the COVID-19 crisis could severely cut the Philippine growth momentum. The truth is that the economic fundamentals are on our side. Even under the worst possible scenario, the Philippines can still grow this year and in the medium term by about 6 percent.”

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11

Japan says G7 leaders support ‘complete’ Games

T

Hidilyn Diaz only needs one more qualifying event to progress to the Olympics.

Ancajas, Casimero fights could be stalled

F

ilipino world champions Jerwin Ancajas and Johnriel Casimero could have their title �ights stalled with the imminent boxing shutdown.

The Panabo City native Ancajas is still in the country with trainer Joven Jimenez as they wait for the call up to proceed to Las Vegas for Ancajas’ ninth defense of the IBF super �lyweight belt against Mexican challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez on April 12 at the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino.

Meantime Casimero and Dabawenyo trainer Nonoy Neri arrived in Las Vegas from Miami, Florida, for the �inal buildup of his bantamweight uni�ication collision with Japanese Naoya Inoue on April 25 at the Mandalay Events Center.

Casimero’s camp will

have to wait until March 25, when the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) decides on whether to allow scheduled combat sport events to proceed or not due to the coronavirus pandemic.

‘He knows this �ight could bring him superstardom,’ trainer Nonoy Neri says as John Riel Casimero gears up for unbeaten Japanese Naoya Inoue For now, the commission has suspended events set until March 25.

According to Jimenez, they are continuing training at their condo unit or at a nearby park for Ancajas to maintain the sharp form he attained during a two-

Woods, Park outside Olympic golf qualifying as tours halt

N

o changes are planned to the Olympic golf qualifying system, the International Golf Federation (IGF) which runs the event said after the sport shut down due to the coronavirus.

This could deal a hammer blow to the chances of Tiger Woods qualifying for Tokyo 2020, and for Park In-bee's hopes of being eligible to defend her title from Rio 2016.

Based on the current rankings, Woods (United States) and Park (South Korea) would not qualify for their respective teams.

However, scrambling the equation is that even if the Olympics go ahead, many golfers could opt out, much as they did from Rio 2016 due to concerns over the zika virus.

Eligibility for the Tokyo

2020 men's and women's events will be determined by world ranking points compiled over almost two years from July 1, 2018 until June 22 (men) and June 29 (women) this year.

The list essentially mirrors the world rankings in determining the 60-player �ields, with a maximum of two players from any single country (four if inside the top 15).

But the halting of the professional tour schedules for an undetermined time frame will have winners and losers, because there will be little weekto-week �lux in the rankings.

Those on the outside looking in will for the most part continue looking in, and vice-versa.

"This has proven to be a fair and equitable sys-

WOODS, P9

month training camp at the rest house of Big Boss Cement president Gilbert Cruz in Dipolog City.

To stay updated on news, advisories, and explainers, check out our special coverage page, “Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.”

Jimenez said they were visited by MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions president Sean Gibbons on Monday, March 16, to �ind out how they are coping with the community quarantine imposed in Metro Manila.

According to Jimenez, Gibbons even joined them in their training session.

Scheduled to �ly to Las Vegas either March 18 or March 20, Ancajas and Jimenez were advised by Gibbons to stay put, while the international matchmaker awaits a de�inite

ruling from the NAC. After a month of physical conditioning with Mexican Memo Heredia and gym training with noted Cuban coach Pedro Roque in Miami, Casimero got reunited with Neri, who will be the guy in charge in Las Vegas.

Casimero has been tagged as the huge underdog against Inoue, who will be dangling the WBA and IBF crowns in a much-awaited encounter between power-punching three-division world champions.

Other options being considered for Las Vegas �ight cards are to move them to later dates or stage them behind closed doors or even at television studios, with TV commercials expected to compensate for the losses in gate receipts.

OKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that Group of Seven leaders had agreed to support a “complete” Olympic Games, although he sidestepped a question on whether they had discussed a delay in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Abe said he had told other G7 leaders: “We are doing everything in our power to prepare (for the Games), and we want to aim for a complete event as proof that mankind can defeat the new coronavirus.”

The leaders expressed their support, he told reporters around midnight in Tokyo after the G7 heads of state held an unprecedented meeting by video conference.

When asked speci�ically whether any of the leaders brought up a delay, Abe repeated the same line.

Interpreting his comments at a news conference hours later, Olympics Minister Seiko Hashimoto said a “complete” event referred to holding the Games this summer as scheduled, with spectators present.

At the G7 video confer-

ence, leaders committed to doing “whatever is necessary” to battle the coronavirus pandemic and to work together more closely to protect public health, jobs and growth, and issued a statement promising to address the health and economic risks.

The virus has infected almost 180,000 people and killed over 7,000 worldwide, with the epicentre having switched from China to Europe. Sports competitions have come to a halt in Europe, hampering the preparations of athletes for the Olympics.

Further stoking those concerns, the head of the French Olympic Committee said on Monday the pandemic must have reached its peak and be on the wane by the end of May for the Tokyo Olympics to be staged on schedule.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the worst of the virus could be over

by July or August, a more speci�ic and lengthier timeframe than he has previously suggested.

The Olympics are due to run from July 24 to Aug. 9.

Boxing qualifiers suspended as virus spreads

L

ONDON - The European, Americas and �inal world qualifying boxing tournaments for the Tokyo Olympic Games were suspended on Monday after falling victim to the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the globe.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), whose Boxing Task Force (BTF) is organising the events after the suspension last year of world body AIBA, acted as countries went into lockdown and sport ground to a halt.

The Americas and �inal world tournaments have yet to happen but the 10-day European event at London's Copper Box, on the site of the 2012 Olympics, was already into its third day of competition.

Sixteen male boxers, �lyweights and featherweights, still managed to secure their tickets to Tokyo before the shutdown came into force at the end of Monday's evening session.

British �lyweight Galal Yafai was the �irst to qualify, even if the Games' July 24 starting date is looking increasingly uncertain.

Yafai beat Russia's Rasul Saliev to reach the quarter-�inals, with a guaranteed Tokyo slot for the last eight in the division, and was followed by top-seeded Frenchman Billal Bennama.

"With everything that's gone on this week outside of boxing, it's great to just get it done," Yafai, who fought at the

BOXING, P9

Jerwin Ancajas will have to wait until March 25, when the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) decides on whether to allow scheduled combat sport events to proceed or not due to the coronavirus pandemic.

DAVAO SPORTS 12 EDGE

EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO

SPORTS BRACE FOR BATTLE

VOL.13 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,2019 2020 VOL.12 ISSUE 164 VOL.12 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, ISSUE 78 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER JUNE 25-26, 27,

TWICE

RESET

4 games up as Escandor Cup Collegiate Sponsors League resumes Saturday

By ADAM B. MORRELL

A

heavy four-game bill Royal Mandaya Hotel, Dais on its way as ac- vies Paints, Mandarin SPC tion in the Collegiate Branch, Max's Fried ChickSponsors League (CSL) en and PTT Lubricants.

Escandor Cup resumes on Meantime, the Saturday, October 26, at Agro-Industrial Foundathe Davao City Recreation tion College of the PhilipCenter. pines (AIFCP) Sailors and The curtain raiser will the UM Wildcats shared feature a "David versus the top spot in bracket A Goliath" match up as odds- with a 2-0 record each, on favorite Jose Maria Col- followed by the CJC Red lege (JMC) Kings takes on Lions with 1-0. The MCT the struggling Brokenshire Navigators landed on College of Davao (BCD) the fourth spot with 1-1, dribblers at 3:00pm. trailed by the defending Olympian Erniebetween Gawilan, the The clash theDabawenyo champion Holy Cross of country's best betDavao in the College (HCDC) SanTorpedo, Pedrois the College (SPC) Asean Para Games.

Stallions and the visiting Crusaders with 1-2, DMCor Jesu College (CJC) MACSP Mariners 0-1, of Digos City Red Lions SPCD Saints 0-1, and SPC will go after at 4:30 pm, Stallions with 0-2. followed by the exciting The bracket B, meanbattle between tradition- while, is currently led by al powerhouse teams St. the Holy Cross College John Paul II College of of Sasa (HCCS) Spartans Davao with 3-0 followed he(SPCD) AseanSaints Paraand Games, nextcard, week, to October 3-9 as oth Bhavilai, the secretary Matswhich College the of Technolby JMCa Kings Asian Philippines result(2-0), of the video confer- of the APSF board, in a ogy will (MCT)host Navigators at International School of the feder- statement. as part of ence made among 6:00 pm.

Aeronautics and Technolthe 2019 Southeast ation's (1-1), boardAteof governors.

However, he said the new At 7:00pm, the un-Asian ogy (AISAT) Games, has been postponed "The dates serve as the schedule is not yet final, as beaten University of Min- neo de Davao University anew theWildcats worldwill battles new target(1-2), dates for the the period was proposed danao as (UM) (Addu) Blue Knights SEE STORY ON P11 Manny Pacquiao says even at 40, he is not finished yet. the deadly coronavirus 10thUM edition of the Games "with conditions that the stake its clean slate against disBCD (0-1), Penaplata DMMA College of South- (0-1), and Rizal the Memoease 2019 (Covid-19). to help Philippines ASE- Covid-19 pandemic is put ern rial Colleges (RMC) OnPhilippines Monday(DMMACnight, the AN Para Games Organising under control and no longer SP) Mariners to wrap Federaup Bulldogs (0-2).

Asean Para Sports Committee (Philapgoc) with a threat to human".

Saturday's quadruple tion rescheduled the meet, the necessary arrangement "The Board has agreed to header sponsored by The

Asean Para Games postponed to October 3-9 due to Covid-19 scare

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO T

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO 14 12 EDGE which was supposed to start

and preparation," said Os-

convene another meeting at

University of Mindanao will tryo to make it three in a row on Saturday as action in the the end of July 2020 to as- ities andCollegiate the host’s SponsorsreadiLeague sess the Covid-19 situation ness," Bhavilai said. Cup resumes (CSL) Escandor at thescheduled Davao City Recreation before confirming and proInitially for ceeding with the proposed January, Center. the Escandor Asean Cup/CSL Para photo VOL.11 VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6Games.

• SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, 2019 new dates for the Games was moved to-13, March VOL.12 ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21, 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12

This is to adhere to the due to Covid-19.

VOL.12 ISSUE 21reg• SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 26-27, ulation that the host notifies But with local and interAPSF at least 60 days before national sports leagues and the commencement of the tournaments postponed Games to allow time for the or even canceled due to APSF Coordination Commit- Covid-19, the APSF followed tee to inspect Games facil- suit. (PNA)