MINDANAO DAILY TRUTH. JUSTICE. PROGRESS.
Volume IX, No. 253
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
FDA approves five brands of Rapid Antibody Test Kits for COVID-19
IN what could be a critical turning point in the country’s battle against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved today, March 30, 2020, the use of five (5) brands of Rapid Test Kits for COVID-19. “We approve kits that are registered and used in countries with advanced technology and wide experience with COVID 19. We want the people to have access to testing but of course, proper evaluation and safeguards will still be in place,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said in press statement posted in the FDA website. According to the FDA Advisory No. 2020-483, approved where the following (with countries of origin): NANJING VAZYME 2019nCoV IgG/IgM DETECTION KIT (Singapore); NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-NCOV) IgM/IgG See KITS, page 11
Passengers of March 14 PAL flight to Ozamis traced By DIVINA M. SUSON Correspondent
ILIGAN CITY -- The provincial government of Misamis Occidental is now tracing passengers of a March 14 morning flight of the Philippine Airlines who may have direct physical contact with a patient admitted at a hospital in Ozamiz City who tested positive of COVID-19. In a live streaming on social media, Misamis Occidental Governor Phillip Tan, called on the passenger to report to have themselves checke and imposed a 14-day home quarantine while b eing monitored by health personnel. See FLIGHT, page 11
FDA Advisory No.2020-483 List of FDA Approved Antibody Test Kits (pna)
MinDA chief ends 14-day quarantine By PREXX MARNIE KATE TROZO
RT SARS-CoV-2Amplification-Kit-with-Vials
DAVAO CITY — The Kidapawan City Health Office has given a certification to Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol for being cleared of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Saturday. In a Facebook post, he said he was given the clearance after he completed his self-quarantine which Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) SecGenexpert system with Xpert started on March 14. Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test.
See CHIEF, page 11
retary Emmanuel Piñol (PNA
file photo )
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Community
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
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POINTY Inc. gives free face masks, sanitizers, and gloves to frontliners at the three checkpoints in Kalilangan, Bukidnon. (RDL, 403rd Inf Bde, 4ID, PA)
DSWD readies aid for vulnerable sectors affected by COVID-19 THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide social amelioration measures amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 for two months to families belonging to vulnerable sectors who have been affected by the community quarantine amid the COVID-19 crisis as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.” The Emergency Subsidy Program includes the DSWD’s provision of food and non-food items (FNFI) and financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) as well as those provided by other agencies, provided that the benefits received by each household does not exceed the prescribed threshold per region. The P5,000 to P8,000 worth of social amelioration programs is based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from the region’s minimum wage levels as these are close approximations to the amount needed to buy basic food, medicine, and hygiene essentials. It will be given to an eligible family in cash and in kind by various national government agencies. The provision of FNFI is part of the Department’s Technical Assistance and
Resource Augmentation (TARA) to local government units (LGUs) in addressing the food needs of their constituents. AICS, on the other hand, provides integrated services to individuals and families in crisis situation which include financial assistance to assist them with their basic needs. Likewise, Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) will be provided to a beneficiaryfamily of the Department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) with at least one member who is a worker in the informal sector and is displaced due to the declaration of the community quarantine. The family must be in the master list endorsed by the LGU to the DSWD Field Office (FO) and must still undergo assessment by a DSWD staff. The LAG will be given after the quarantine period has been lifted to help the families start anew. LGUs will prepare the list of the target beneficiaries of the social amelioration measures and endorse this with the complete documentary requirements to the concerned DSWD FO for verification. A Social Amelioration Card (SAC) that captures the family profile will be distributed to the LGUs to enable the beneficiaries to access the assistance. It will also serve See AID, page 10
POINTY gives free face masks, sanitizers to Bukidnon frontliners M A L AY BA L AY C I T Y, Bukidnon -- To address the insufficiency of personal protective equipment (PPE) of some frontliners in the fight against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through our Youth (POINTY) Inc - Bukidnon chapter distributed face masks, sanitizers, and gloves at the three entry points in Kalilangan,
Bukidnon. POINTY Inc. Bukidnon president Crill Joy Paligsa said the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade provided the raw materials they used in the mask-making. “We were able to produce 93 face masks. Without delay, we distributed it for free to the health workers and uniformed personnel assigned at Kalilangan checkpoints,” Paligsa said.
She said they worked with Kalilangan municipal police station, in coordination with Bukidnon provincial police office, to bring it safely to Manubiray, Maradugaw, and Bangbang checkpoints. “As POINTY Bukidnon amplifies the call to help address the shortage of PPEs for the frontliners, this group of young people calls on those who want to
help or share anything to just message us directly through our Facebook page. This is the only way we can help our countrymen in this time of crisis. We salute all the frontliners who are doing their best to stop the spread of COVID-19. We must be able to help them even in small ways like this,” she said. (RDL, 403rd Inf Bde, 4ID, PA/PIA10)
DSWD-10 to augment LGUs’ COVID-19 response with 73,655 food packs CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Primarily tasked to augment provision of food and non-food assistance to local government units (LGUs), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 is targeting to repack 73,655 food packs with about P26 million budget allocation. “Ang gihimo sa DSWD as per request from the LGU. Duna sila’y listahan ana mao kini ang basehan sa atong tagaan (The DSWD will wait for the request of the LGU. They [LGUs] have their own list and this will be the basis for the distribution),” Assistant Regional Director for Operations Aldersey M. dela Cruz of DSWD-10 said. DSWD-10 prioritizes the beneficiaries of the Pan-
Primarily tasked to augment provision of food and non-food assistance to local government units (LGUs), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 is targeting to repack 73,655 food packs with about P26 million budget allocation, says Assistant Regional Director Aldersey dela Cruz in a press conference, March 30 at Cagayan de Oro City. (RDM/PIA10)
tawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, informal sector, Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT), and Listahanan. Such will be forwarded to
the local chief executives so there won’t be any duplication of beneficiaries within the latter’s area of responsibility.
JOY& THATA LECHON LIVESTOCK TRADING Located at : PUERTO, CDO – MAIN JR. BORJA EXTENSION, CRONEN, CAMAMAN-AN – BRANCH
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“Responsible in food distribution is the local government unit,” dela Cruz said. Since this is the primary role of the LGU, the assistant regional director said the LGU must promptly come up with the list of households whom they are going to provide assistance with. DSWD-10 has already hired volunteers to repack the goods and they are targeting to complete such by mid-April. Furthermore, the department has identified prepositioned areas for distribution and with the aid of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, See RESPONSE, page 10
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
NPA shows arrogance in justifying killing of tribal leader By ALEXANDER LOPEZ
BUTUAN CITY — The communist New People’s Army (NPA) are displaying their arrogance and utter disregard to the value of human life when they
admitted and justified the killing of a tribal chieftain and a civilian in Surigao del Sur, a military official said over the weekend. Brig. Gen. Maurito L. Licudine, commander of the Army’s 402nd Infantry
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Brigade said the NPA rebels also showed “their barbaric nature” in attacking civilians with no direct involvement in the armed conflict. “We are one with the whole Indigenous People See SHOWS, page 8
B’non allots P700M for 100,000 COVID-affected families M A L AY BA L AY C I T Y, Bukidnon -- In an effort to help the province’s thousands of “no-work no-pay” workers who were hit by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the spreading Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Bukidnon provincial government allotted Php700 million to assist the poor families affected by COVID-19. Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Jr, in a press briefing, said the amount will be used to procure staple food for distribution to the province’s 100,000 poor families whose daily earnings were badly affected. “We must be able to help them even in small ways like this. Each poor family listed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as indigent—but not a member of 4Ps—will receive one sack of rice; one
Bukidnon Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri Jr, in a press briefing, said the provincial government allots P700 million to procure staple food for the province’s 100,000 poor families whose daily earnings were badly affected by Coronavirus Disease 2019. The governor said each poor family listed by DSWD as indigent—but not a member of 4Ps—will receive one sack of rice; one box of canned sardines; and one box of canned meatloaf and other assorted canned goods. (PGO PAIA)
box of canned sardines; and one box of canned meatloaf and other assorted canned goods,” Zubiri said. He clarified that only those who were severely affected by the “ECQ” being implemented by the local government units (LGUs) can avail of the food aid. Bukidnon has 20 towns and 2 cities. Hence, the distribution should be done in batches, he said. The first batch of recipients will be from the towns of Impasugong, San Fernando, Cabanglasan, Lantapan, Pangantucan, and Kalilangan. Those towns that have not yet been scheduled must wait for further announcement or notice from their respective LGUs, the governor said. Early this month, Zubiri issued Executive Order No. 13 placing the entire See ALLOTS, page 8
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Opinion
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Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute
Private sector response to COVID 19
IT is heartwarming to read about the response of the private sector in helping alleviate the impact of widespread disruption caused by COVID 19. A restaurant owner opened her establishment to more than a dozen homeless persons, providing them hot meals and sleeping and shower facilities. A group of concerned ladies offered to ferry health workers to and from their place of work. The exclusive Palms Country Club in Filinvest Alabang has accepted, as temporary boarders, health workers from nearby RITM, who find it virtually impossible to go home. Artists and talents of ABS-CBN staged a virtual musical concert that raised over P270 million for
relief purposes. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is giving Greg O, and others similarly situated, a thirty-day reprieve on his monthly installment payment which falls due on April 1st, at no interest. BPI is granting an even longer reprieve of 90 days for borrowers classified as “front-liners’ in the fight against COVID 19. “Feel free to use this money for your more urgent needs. This is the least we can do for your sacrifices,” BPI President Bong Consing said. Marina D, who operates a salon at an Ayala Mall, feels relieved that she will not have to pay rent for the duration of the lockdown period. Lino S, a daily-paid
construction worker in a project of Makati Development Corporation, is assured food on his table during his forced layoff. Greg O, Marina D, and Lino S are typical of the beneficiaries of a COVID 19 emergency response package announced by the Ayala group recently. In a letter to employees, partners, and friends, the brothers Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala announced a relief package that will benefit thousands of workers because their places of work have been closed. They include retail workers, construction workers, service providers, security agencies and employees of many similar businesses who are largely
Ignacio Bunye
on a no-work-no-pay type of employment. For non-employees (i.e., the extended workforce of Ayala’s partner employers), Ayala is allocating a total of P2.4 Billion as follows: P 600 million – for salary continuance for the displaced workers from construction sites, shuttered malls and retail spaces of Makati Development Corporation and the Ayala Malls group. P 270 million - Globe Telecoms’ allocation for its retail store support staff and vendor partners. P130 million - other See SECTOR, page 11
Kim’s Dream
Stop the Continuing Onslaught on IP’s Resources or Else!
THE Indigenous People are now serving notice to one and all that enough is enough! In a strongly worded Position Paper entitled, “Kasaysayan na Magpapatunay sa Lupang Ipinamana ng mga Ninuno (Ancestral Domain), the cooperative of the Indigenous People narrated their historical right on their ancestral domain which has all these years been the subject of massive exploitation of the rich and the powerful. But this time, they have awakened as they are advancing their firm resolve to collective fight to protect Abaga Ta Bayug (Mindanamora Falls) in Talakag, Bukidnon which they believe is a very sacred
creation of Magbabaya (the Creator). Well, what else is new? The massive exploitation of the resources which once upon a time been the domain of the IPs has been happening not only in the Philippines but worldwide. That process of deprivation is called the “enclosure of the commons.” The word “enclosure” describes the physical exclusion of the IPs from their commons (land) though being a common property of the IPs to be owned and controlled by the rich and the powerful. Lands which were formerly the ancestral domain of the IPs are now owned and controlled by the rich and the
powerful. This is concretely showcased in the hundreds of thousands of hectares of the choicest of lands in rich but poverty-stricken island of Mindanao now transformed into big plantations which are planted with high value crops to supply the consumerist lifestyle of the people in the advanced countries. This is a paradox in an agriculturallyrich country that cannot even produce enough basic staples such as rice and milk for its people. This truism is well narrated in the IP’s Position Paper. Indeed, the IPs have been living sustainably in their commons that include the ecosystems for thou-
Orlan R. Ravanera
sands of years in the spirit of service and sharing. But where are they now? What happened to their lands, the natural seeds, the natural farming technologies that they have practiced in harmony with the laws of nature? Indeed, the economics of enclosure worked for the landlords and plantation owners but against the IPs. The massive rakings of a few provided the necessary justification for the privateers to expand the market economy despite the cost to nature’s economy and the See RESOURCES, page 11
Hints and Traces
What a big pity if…
INDEED, we have to admit that we practically are all cowering in fear and anxiety, and suffering from all kinds of privations, physical, mental and emotional, all arising from this pandemic that we are having these days. But it would be a big pity if in all these conditions we fail to take advantage of the golden opportunity these conditions are actually offering us. If we are guided by our Christian faith, we know that we are not meant only to suffer and then die. We are meant for joy and bliss and life everlasting. But our suffering and death possess great value that can do us a lot of good. If we have learned well from Christ’s life and example, then we would know that our suffering and death can be our best and ultimate
expression of our love for God and for everybody else, because Christ has made all human suffering precisely as the supreme manifestation of love and as the ultimate means for our salvation. Remember Christ saying, “Greater love has no man that this: that a man lays down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15, 13) That would be pure love, fully gratuitous, with no strings attached. And it’s a love that is motivated by no less than the greatest need of man: our own salvation, the full recovery of our dignity as children of God. If we can only have the same attitude that Christ had in accepting his passion and death as we go through our current rigmarole of lockdown, quarantine and all that stuff, then we would be turning our imposed
sacrifices into something very positive, helpful and constructive. No, we are not meant to suffer, and suffering is not God’s will for us. Our suffering is always self-inflicted which God allows to happen because he respects our freedom, no matter how much we abuse it. But God knows how to turn our suffering and death around. In Christ, we have been given the way of how to reverse the purely negative character of our suffering and death into something positive and redemptive. That is why we have to learn how to love suffering, not in the perverted and masochistic sense, but in the way Christ accepted his passion and death. He did no run away from it when the time came for him to go through it. He
Roy Cimagala
presented himself, in fact, and embraced all that suffering and death quietly in obedience to the will of the Father for the salvation of man. Let’s remember that it is our sin that has brought our own suffering and death. And it’s a sin that would require God himself with our cooperation for it to be forgiven. Why? Because it is God whom we have offended, and we on our own cannot undo it. It would need God himself becoming man to undo it. By so doing, we have the way to be forgiven of our sin. See PITY, page 8
5 DA’s ALPAS COVID-19 eyes increased food prod’n; distributes vegetable seeds FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776
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Cagayan de Oro City, March 28 – The agriculture department (DA) encourages the Filipinos in the government’s bid of ensuring every household adequate, accessible and affordable food through the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra sa COVID-19 (ALPAS COVID-19). Complementing the department’s existing regular programs, DA under the helm of Secretary William D. Dar has already sought an additional Php31 billion fund to fulfill its mandate of ensuring a food secure Philippines amid the current health crisis. The requested budget will be used to provide immediate assistance in scaling-up activities relative to food productivity and availability, food accessibility and mobility, and food price stability. “In doing so, it will avert food shortage, supply disruptions, and unstable prices as the COVID-19 pandemic challenges even more our farm and fishery production, including the movement of agricultural commodities and products from production to market areas,” said DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, reiterating the agriculture
Aggie News
secretary’s statement. While the supplemental budget is underway, DARegional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its High Value Crops Development Program intensified the distribution of vegetable seeds to the local governments in Region 10. On behalf of DA-RFO 10 exec Carlene C. Collado, Regional Technical Director Carlota S. Madriaga handed over four boxes of vegetable seeds to the City Agriculture’s Office of CdeO. Costing more than a hundred thousand, the boxes of vegetable seeds come in different variants (5-in-1 Pinakbet, 4-in-1 Chopsuey, 4-in-1 Salad Green and 5-in1 Sinigang). “While most of us are staying in our homes, we could be a lot more productive by planting vegetables in our own backyards or gardens,” Madriaga said, on the provision of seeds to the city government, which is targeted to be given to its constituents. “Even more rewarding later on, is reaping the fruit of one’s labor, as they can consume their harvest, which are nutritiously good and safe, without going beyond
Aimed at ensuring that more Filipino households will have food to eat amid the COVID-19 crisis, DA-RFO 10 encourages households to plant in their gardens. Accordingly, the agency led by RTD Madriaga, hands over boxes of vegetable seeds to the City Agriculture’s Office, which was received by Joseph G. Borja, focal person of the Urban Container Household Gardening program within CdeO.
the comforts of their home,” she added. T h i s Mon d ay, DANorMin will continue to distribute more vegetable seeds to the different local governments across the Region, with DA-10’s Pro-
Dr. Calingasan: Hulga sa virus, dugay nang gipangandaman HUMAN gayud mibuto ang isyu sa novel coronavirus sa Wuhan, Hubei, China, nakigpulong gilayon si Gobernador Bambi Emano kang Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jerie Calingasan aron mangandam sa posibleng pagkatap sa nasangpit nga virus, hilabina gikabutyag nga makatakod kini.
Sa iyang pagbisita sa Lambo, Misamis Oriental! sa RPN dxKO niadtong Miyerkoles, Marso 25, 2020, gibutyag ni Dr. Calingasan nga nagsige na’g pangutana si Gov. Emano kalabot na sa update sa virus ug unsay mahimong kadaut niini sa tawo aron makadepensa na daan ang lalawigan batok niini.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
“Sugod-sugod pa lang ang istorya kaniadto, mao pay paggawas sa kaning istorya didto sa Wuhan, unya dili mahibal-an kay wala rabay tambal. Nagsige na’g pakig-istorya kanako ang halangdong gobernador… sige panawag nga, ‘you prepare the Province of Misamis Oriental,” subay pa ni Dr. Calingasan.
vincial Operations Center of the respective provinces through the city/municipal agriculture office expected to facilitate the distribution to its residents amid the imposed community quarantine.
On the other hand, the office has set up the ALPAS COVID-19 center to cater to the needs of walk-in clients interested to go into backyard gardening. The center is open from Mondays to Sundays, from
8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. “We urge everyone to be one with us, to reinforce the government’s efforts during this difficult time, to ensure food is set at the tables of every Filipino household,” the director concluded.
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Editor: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
BUSINESS 6
Learn at Home:
Globe MyBusiness launches e-learning webinar for educators Globe joins forces with digital learning experts to discuss the future of education amid COVID-19 pandemic WITH schools closed for the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon, many educators deem it as the perfect time to harness the power of communications technology so that students can still learn while in the comfort and safety of their homes. Globe MyBusiness supports this idea, and is encouraging an in-depth discussion through a webinar that is open to educational institutions, with experts offering insights on the right tools and techniques for utilizing and maximizing digital learning. The E-Skwela webinar, which will be held on March 31, will discuss the possibilities of current learning technologies and their integration in the school system during the time of the COVID-19 crisis. The webinar will help school owners and educators understand digital learning and
55 Davao City BPOs comply with quarantine rules
See LAUNCHES, page 9
See COMPLY, page 8
By DIGNA BANZON
DAVAO CITY -- Some 55 Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) offices are complying with Mayor Sara Z. Duterte’s directive to contain the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19). In a statement on Friday, the Davao City BPO 2019 coronavirus disease Task Force (BPO Covid-19 TF) said the BPOs have transitioned to work from home arrangement, or onsite as long as they maintain a skeletal workforce with the provision for accommodation and shuttle services to their employees. All of the compliant BPOs are registered under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA),
MINDANAO DAILY MOTORING
TRUTH. JUSTICE. PROGRESS.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
GILBERT Y. CHAO - Motoring Editor
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A paradigm shift whose time has come:
The 2020 Corolla Altis HEV self-charging automobile By MIKE BAÑOS Editor at Large
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - In our not so distant past, the free falling prices of gasoline and diesel products brought by nil demand worldwide would have encouraged motorists to travel more. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has constrained all kinds of travel, including land transport. The sudden drop in demand has also brought to fore just how significant the effects of fossil fueled vehicles are in the air quality of the world’s leading metropolitan cities which are now enjoying clear blue skies and fresh air after so long a time. This brings us to the rising popularity of electric vehicles especially in urban areas. At zero emissions and negligible noise, they appear to be the personal vehicle of choice even in a post-COVID-19 world. But the present profile of the power industry in the Philippines precludes the efficient and economical operation of all electrical vehicles (EVs). This doesn’t have so much to do with the EVs per se but rather with the “generation mix” of how electricity in the country is now produced. When the full costs of a EVs operation in the Philippines are factored over its average economic life, it is still more expensive and inefficient compared the fossil-fueled internal combustion engines (ICE). Moreover, in the Philippines where the provision of charging points is next to non-existent, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) chose to instead begin with Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) in
the transition from gasoline and diesel powered ICEs to full EVs As Ritsmond A. Kalambacal, TMP Group Head for General Job Technical Training Group 1, CSOCustomer Service Training Dept., Marketing Division explained to us: “Because of the generation mix and availability of electricity in Luzon (where the bulk of the Philippine market is), TMP believes it is still not feasible to sell full EVs in the Philippines at this time,” he noted. Also, mainly perhaps because of Filipino motorists previous experience with the first generation Toyota Prius, many still confuse HEVs with EVs. “We are constantly working to dispel misconceptions most motorists have about HEV: one, it is complicated to drive, and that it can be switched to full gas or full EV manually.” “However, the Corolla Altis HEV drives just like a conventional ICE powered vehicle and automatically charges the car’s batteries as needed. There’s no need to plug it in the grid to recharge it.” “The Toyota Corolla Altis HEV is fully independent and autonomous of the local power situation,” said Elvin G. Luciano, PR and Communications Section, Marketing Services Dept. “New owners have a zero learning curve since it’s no different from driving a conventional powered Altis.” That’s exactly how auto journalist Jacob Oliva of autodeal.com.ph relates it in his review after trying out the Corolla Altis Hybrid for a week.
Teacher Bogie Teves test drives the 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis HEV (photo
“I learned one thing: it’s no different from a vehicle with an internal combustion engine – except when you start the car up, which is as silent as a teenager escaping in the middle of the night.” Teacher Bogie Teves, who blogs at Bogie’s Wonderland and was lucky enough to test drive the 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis during the
Bogie’s Wonderland)
Previous Prius In fact, the Prius, Toyota’s first fully EV was already introduced in the Philippines as early as 2009 but never took off even when the more affordable Prius C was later offered as a more affordable option. With taxes and other custom duties making them relatively expensive, Toyota
The 2020 Toyota Prius C on a test drive at Xavier University (photo courtesy of Bogie’s Wonderland)
The 2020 Toyota Corolla Altis HEV looks and drives the same as the gasoline variant. (photo courtesy of Bogie’s Wonderland)
HEV Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicle Campus Tour in Cagayan de Oro on February 21, remarked: “The car was very comfortable but what The 2020 Toyota Prius at Xavier University as part of stands out the most is the TMP’s HEV Campus Tour last Feb. 21 (photo courtesy of super quiet engine.”
Bogie’s Wonderland)
courtesy of
loyalists opted for the more affordable gasoline powered models which in their minds returned more bang for the buck. Not the least, there were fears the new technology
wasn’t mature enough to guarantee the affordable life cycle costs that had long been the most decisive factor in making previous and new Toyota owners opt for the brand. However, topgear.com. ph’s Drei Laurel believes the 2020 Toyota Altis HEV’s P1,580,000 price point could be a “real game changer” relative to the Prius (P2,289,000) and Prius C (P1,907,000). Keeping it simple To partly address these apprehensions and simplify the workings of the Altis HEV, TMP distributed a pamphlet to students who attended its Feb. 21st lecture
at a local restaurant “HEV 101 Hybrid Electric Vehicle powered by Toyota.” The material describes the HEV as “Combining one gasoline engine with two electric motors, the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive makes the vehicle powerful, fuel efficient and environment friendly.” One System. Two Worlds. “Enjoy the performance that you’re used to getting from a gasoline engine, while experiencing more kilometers per liter and generating less pollutants.” Power and Performance. Fuel efficiency and lower See COROLLA, page 10
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Davao
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
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Indonesian Consulate disinfects office in Davao City
March 28 – The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City headed by Consul General Dicky Fabrian disinfected the entire compound which include the main office
building, Indonesian School of Davao, Dormitories and the Consul General’s residence as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Through this initiative, it will help protect all the employees, teachers and students who are inside the compound. ConGen Dicky urged everyone to follow all safety precautions and
health advisories of the Philippine Government because they are not only protecting themselves, but also protecting their family and the community. He also advised all people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact to those who show respiratory symptoms. In cooperation with the guidelines of the City Government of Davao, the office is working in a skeletal system and impose
for Orders, Contact Yoyong:
09354145759 09169249371
Allots... province of Bukidnon under Community Quarantine to quell the spread of coronavirus. Officials have implemented lockdowns that prevent people from leaving their towns and cities while imposing curfew. On Friday, the Department of Health’s COVID-19 bulletin showed Bukidnon has 679 Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) and 65 Persons Under Investigation (PUIs). In an interview, provincial health officer Dr. Ricardo Reyes said, “the province has ‘zero’ confirmed COVID-19 case as of this report, which may be due to the people’s cooperation and vigilance.” (RLRB/PIA10)
porarily close during the community quarantine. It said the task force will closely work with the BPO Association of Davao, the ICT Davao, and other industry players to ensure the smooth operations of their establishments during the quarantine. (PNA)
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to the centers. “We have called on several volunteer health workers but we do not impose anything on them because it is a public health emergency and it is not right for us to push them on the job. It’s purely voluntary because there is a risk to their health and their life,” Duterte said. She added that it is necessary to put trained and highly-skilled health workers because of the risks posed by the job. The Depar tment of Health in Davao Region confirmed that it already has a total of 30 people positive of Covid-19, 20 of them were admitted at SPMC. (PNA)
Comply...
provide temporary accommodation arrangements within the vicinity of their offices, and provide their employees with shuttle service. Failure to comply cannot comply with either of the two options would mean immediately closure,
Duterte’s order warns. On top of these, the BPO Covid-19 TF said all BPOs are also required to submit detailed contingency plans “for reference and guidance during monitoring.” Meanwhile, the task force said 14 BPOs have indicated they will tem-
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
Kagay-an Festival 1st Oro Lechoneros Encuentro Champion
Shows...
the health intervention the most, like the use of the oxygen and ventilators,” Mayor Sara added. She said on Monday (March 30), Covid-19 positive patients from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) with mild symptoms will be transferred to ALS. For BFP and Queensland, she said the construction works are still ongoing. As to the staff who will man the PUI centers, Duterte said this remains a challenge to the city government. However, she said they have settled with what they have right now as they cannot impose to health volunteers to render their services
By CHE PALICTE
still empty. We want to fill in a specific center first before opening the other one,” Duterte added. In La Vida Inn, she said it can accommodate up to 26 PUIs while the ALS center will accommodate positive Covid-19 patients with mild cases only. “We do not want them in the hospital, because we reserve the beds for those people who needed
09:00 am – 03:00 pm. The team who performed the disinfecting were from Qure It Inc., a company specialize in pest control solutions and environmentally safe. They were supervised by officials of Indonesian Consulate General, Consul Henny Muliyani and Mr. Jahari.
(IP) communities in condemning this terroristic act. We will not rest until the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” Licudine said in a statement. N PA r e b e l s k i l l e d Manobo tribal chieftain Bernandino Astudillo, 73, and a civilian identified as Zaldy Ibanez, 52, on March 19 in Sitio Inadan, Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. Earlier this week, the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 30 (GF-30) sp okesp ers on Imelda Rambuyod -- alias “Sandara Sidlakan” -- admitted the group’s killing of Astudillo and Ibanez. R ambu yo d a c c u s e d Astudillo and Ibanez of being responsible for the rape of a certain Palay Astudillo. Licudine lambasted the rebels for “fabricating stories” to justify the killings. A day after the admission the NPA’s admission to the killing, Palay Astudillo, the granddaughter of Datu Bernandino Astudillo, came out in a video denying the accusation. Licudine said that acts of the NPA violated the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as he called on the people of Surigao del Sur, particularly in San Miguel, to condemn the NPA. He also dubbed the NPA rebels as “the living viruses that plague communities.” “Let’s be vigilant and alert from the treacherous acts of the CNTs (Communist NPA Terrorists) while our troops support the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) address the threat of coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” Licudine said. (PNA)
Davao City eyes add’l facilities for PUIs
DAVAO CITY – The city government here is eyeing for additional facilities that will house those patients under investigation (PUI) amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Currently, the city’s PUI centers are located in Malagos Rehab Center, La Vida Inn located in Maa, Alternative Learning School (ALS) beside People’s Park, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) near the Malagos Rehab Center, and the Queensland Hotel, which has offered 240 rooms to the city government. Mayor Sara Duterte, in a radio interview on Saturday, said they are looking for two additional facilities which will also cater to PUIs. “We are preparing the 6th and 7th PUI center and we have already talked to two groups about it,” she said. She added that the Malagos Rehab Center, which can accommodate some 28 patients, currently houses 22 PUIs. “Only Malagos center is occupied and the rest were
standard operating procedures such as: all employees which body exceeds to 37.5 degrees celcius will be prohibited to enter the premises, and only urgent matters are being accommodated. It also implements work from home to all employees alternately with limited schedule from
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the task force said. D uter te’s E xe c ut ive Order 20 allows BPOs to continue operating as long as they reduce their workforce, observe social distancing in their premises,
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Pity... from page 4
When we would finally be able to accept and live this truth of our faith, then we would not be afraid of any suffering that will befall us in our earthly life. In fact, we would welcome and embrace suffering, convinced that we would be enriched and glorified by it. We would be convinced that by embracing suffering we would be tightening our identification with Christ, and would be showing the greatest love we can ever have. Yes, love is proven more genuine and more Christinspired if developed, lived and shown in the crucible of suffering. A love that only thrives on good times is not an authentic love. It has to have the form of the cross for it to be authentic. So, we can say that our present condition is actually an invitation for us to mature in our humanity and in our Christian life.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Extreme pressure leads 5 BIFF members to surrender
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Pressure from the ongoing military operation led to the surrender of five (5) Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) today, March 26. The rebels surrendered to 90th Infantry Battalion bringing along with them five (5) high-powered firearms. They were identified as Saed Sadam Malsek a.k.a. Datdat, Mahir Mumna Datumanong a.k.a. Laula, Saed Abdullahsid Zuarto a.k.a. Saed, Moktar Saed Pangalao a.k.a. Bruss, and Usman Abu Ali a.k.a. Dyay. Lt. Col. Michael Maquilan, Battalion Commander of 90th IB said that the group was forced to surrender due to the extreme and continuous pressure from the focused military operation in Maguindanao and its neighboring provinces within Joint Area of Operations. The surrenderers turnedin one (1) 5.56mm M16A1 rifle with attached 40mm M203 grenade launcher, one (1) 5.56mm M16 rifle, one (1) M79 grenade launcher, one (1) caliber .50 sniper Barret, and one (1) 7.62mm M14 rifle. They were also presented to Deputy Brigade Commander, Col.
Response... from page 2
deliveries will be conducted at Maramag and Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Sinacaban and Oroquieta City in Misamis Occidental, and negotiations are currently held with a private facility for Camiguin area. (RTP/PIA10)
Aid...
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as a monitoring tool to avoid duplication of delivery of services. DSWD will also use the existing list of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program to EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE That the late DOLORES C. CASIÑO who died on February 29, 2008 at Jasaan, Misamis Oriental respectively without will no debts; the Decedent left the following parcel of land more particularly described as follows, to wit; Original Certificate of Title No. P-30629 situated at Barrio Panampawan, Municipality of Claveria, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area of TWENTY ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED THIRTY (21,930) Square Meters and Original Certificate of Title No. P-30631 situated at Barrio Panampawan, Municipality of Claveria, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao, containing an area SIXTEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (16,992) square meters and has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE, filed by the heirs of DOLORES C. CASIÑO in favor of PAUL IGNATIUS C. ARAÑA, per Doc #196; Page #40; Book #LXIII ; series of 2020 under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JOHN REY A. TOMINES. MDN: Mar 31, Apr 7 & 14, 2020
Joel Q. Mamon of 601st Infantry Brigade. “The focused and intensified military operations of the Joint Task Force Central targeting the terror groups in Maguindanao have resulted to a pressure build-up among the rebels, which they opted to surrender to our government troops,” said JTFC Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon. The surrenderers are currently undergoing custodial debriefing while their firearms are in the custody of 90th IB for proper documentation and appropriate disposition action. validate the list submitted by LGUs. Families under the 4Ps will also be supported with a top-up on their grants and rice subsidy to reach the maximum benefit per region. 4Ps beneficiaries are most vulnerable to economic, social and physical shocks such as this health crisis, thus, the need to augment their existing grants to help them with their daily needs. The social amelioration measures will help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis and the enhanced community quarantine to the target beneficiaries, particularly the senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant and lactating mothers, solo parents, overseas Filipinos in distress, indigent Indigenous Peoples, homeless citizens, and the informal economy
workers. The measures are contained in the Joint Memorandum Circular forged by DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). D S W D c om m it s to strengthen its coordination with the LGUs to provide the delivery of maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo to the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged, while putting premium to the health and safety of its beneficiaries and personnel in this time of public health emergency.
remotely. Moderated by Gerson Abesamis, Executive Director of Habi Education Lab and Senior Lecturer at UP Diliman and Miriam College, the webinar is designed to help school administrators, key decision makers, and faculty members understand and learn how to integrate tools and activities that are intentionally experiential, collaborative and reflective to maximize learning. Panel members for the ESkwela discussion are experts who will share best practices in integrating e-learning: Bro. Dennis Magbanua, FSC, Community Director at La Salle College, Hong Kong; Rogelio Dela Cruz, Head of the Center for Instruction, Research, and CurriculumEducation Technology Office at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde; Miguel Bermundo, from page 6 Head of Citizenship and how it can be implemented Advocacy Marketing Division at Globe; and Mark Abalos, Learning Technologies Scholar and Education Republic of the Philippines Industry Lead at Globe. AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO Province of Lanao del Sur Among the topics for Municipality of Wao discussion are strategies to OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR help schools become crisisready by integrating technolRA 10172 Form No. (LCRO) ogy in their ecosystem, best practices in leading schools NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION on handling the quarantine In compliance with Section 5 of RA No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that NERIA BELOTENDOS RIO has filed with this Office a situation, challenges of the petition for correction of GENDER from “ FEMALE” to “MALE”, on the certificate of Live Birth of APRIL JHON BELOTENDOS RIO who was born on use of technology in teaching April 3, 2002 at Wao, Lanao del Sur and whose parents are EMELIANO and learning, processes to set INFANTE RIO and NERIA MOLINA BELOTENDOS. up an e-learning program Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 30, 2020. for students, and impacts of this teaching practice on the future of education in PERLA A. INIEGO Municipal Civil Registrar the country.
MDN: March 24 & 31, 2020
Launches...
Corolla... emissions. “One motor keeps your vehicle moving at low and moderate constant speeds, and charges the battery when you brake. Need to go faster? The other motor starts the gasoline engine to add power, and also fills up the battery. The engine turns off automatically when you come to a full stop.” One gasoline engine. Two electric motors. “The Hybrid Synergy Drive works automatically to make your driving efficient and great for your wallet and the environment. All these while still giving you the great performance you love!” A simple illustration describes in a series of line drawings how the HEV “From a full stop or at a low or medium constant speed it uses one electric motor. Uses the gasoline engine and one motor when you need more power. Back to one motor when you need less power. And charges the battery when you brake.” For the techies reading this, the Altis HEV is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder DOHC gasoline engine and an electric motor that together churns out 121hp at 5,200rpm and 142Nm of torque at 3,600rpm. First Dibs The effort seems to have paid off. As topgear.com.ph’s Drei Laurel reported, “TMP tells us that it managed to sell 30 units of the Toyota Corolla Altis in October 2019. That figure accounts for a little over 12% of total Corolla Altis Sales. In contrast, that’s already five times the number of Prius units sold in all of 2018.” “At first glance, 12% doesn’t seem that impressive, but keep in mind that, at P1.58 million, the hybrid variant is by far the model’s most expensive option locally. The top-spec conventionallypowered Corolla Altis 1.6 V CVT, at P1.185 million, costs nearly P400,000 less. What’s more, TMP tells us it estimated the hybrid would only account for 7% of Corolla Altis monthly unit sales, so this is definitely a good start.” The Lowdown Asked how much emissions are reduced in the HEV, Kalambacal replied: “Based on data from our regional office, the total emissions from our HEV is reduced by 34% compared to a similar ICE powered vehicle over the car’s life cycle.” He also dispelled apprehensions about the provincial “casas” capability to service the HEV, explaining how local service centers are ready
to maintain the “new” tech cars, with their mechanics being trained in Japan. Toyota also uses nickelhydride batteries over the newer lithium ion batteries since the former are recyclable and have a mature technology compared to the latter. “If a HPEV is not used often, the battery deteriorates. However, if the car is used responsibly, its batteries will last the entire life of the vehicle without need of replacement,” Luciano stressed. For Toyota hybrid vehicles beginning with model year 2020, the hybrid (HV) battery is covered for 10 years from original date of first use or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Mileage Since I was unable to test drive the car itself due to other pressing concerns, I turned to existing reviews online to find out more about its mileage. In an article posted last October, autoindustriya.com’s Vince Pornelos reported consuming only 3.28 liters on a trip from Manila to Tagaytay. In a later article, the same author reported the Altis HEV used only 0.622 of a liter on his 17.8 kilometer route from his home to the office in fairly heavy to moderate traffic at an average speed of 18 km/h. “That’s not even two thirds of one liter because of a very high 28.5 kilometers per liter fuel economy figure with the A/C set for comfortable levels, yet still it only used up about 30 pesos worth of gasoline.” In his previously mentioned review, Oliva reported 14.2 km/L. after an hour on northbound EDSA starting around 4PM, while a leisurely drive on a Sunday clocked in 26.2 km/L on an average speed of 60 km/h. “The best fuel economy number I got with the Corolla Hybrid was 29.7 km/L – that’s after an hour on the highway with the cruise control set at 90 km/h.” “Of note, these numbers are better than our initial Corolla Altis Hybrid fuel efficiency testing, which was done with five people on board.” Put all these in the context of the current pandemic with gasoline prices in the Philippines with year-to-date adjustments as of March 31st dropping by P12.75 per liter for gasoline and P12.89 for diesel, and it’s looking more and more like the right time to jump aboard the Toyota Corolla Altis HEV bandwagon.
Globe myBusiness helps educational institutions integrate technology and digitally transform to help teachers and students continue being productive and informed as they stay #SafeAtHome during the time of the COVID-19 crisis. As it helps customers stay connected in this period of social distancing,
it continues doing its part towards nation-building as a reliable and trusted partner for educators in promoting 21st century Learning. To know more about E-Skwela and other events and programs by Globe myBusiness, visit https://www. facebook.com/globemybusiness/.
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Provides... from page 12
KonsultaMD. KonsultaMD is equipped with modules and internal protocols in handling different health issues including COVID-19 and provides a telephone triage or a means of determining the urgency of the situation to allow hospitals to focus on critical cases. KonsultaMD is an affiliate of 917Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom.
Kits... from page 1
ANTIBODY DETECTION KIT (COLLOIDAL GOLD METHOD) (China); DIAGNOSTIC KIT FOR IgM/IgG ANTIBODY TO CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) (COLLOIDAL GOLD (China); 2019-nCoV ANTIBODY TEST (COLLOIDAL GOLD) (China); and SARS-CoV-2 ANTIBODY TEST (LATERAL FLOW METHOD (China). FDA also approved the SARS Cov2 kit by Gene Xpert from Abbott Laboratories which can detect the virus within 5 minutes. This test kit is PCR based. To date, FDA has approved 17 PCR based test kits for commercial use. As a safety precaution, the FDA shall require the product inserts or label of the Rapid Test Kits to state the following: “This product is strictly for medical professional use only and not intended for personal use. The administration of the test and interpretation of results should be done by a trained health professional. Confirmatory testing is required.” “The rapid test kits will yield a faster result compared to PCR based kits, but it is important that a trained health professional will evaluate and interpret the results,” Domingo stressed. Earlier last week, affiliate chambers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Mindanao urged President Rodrigo Duterte to ramp up of mass screening of possible COVID-19 cases in the country through the adoption of the Rapid Serologic Test (RST) as a surveillance tool and for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant Emergency Use Authority to approve the applications for registration of verifiable suppliers of RST Kits that already underwent the registration process with their respective FDAs in their country of origin. “We urgently need to check the health of our communities and this is only possible using mass testing in the field. Having statistics of sick patients in the hospital is just too late,” said Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI area vice president for Mindanao. “We need to know actual cases in the field even before they become symptomatic or no longer symptomatic (unknowingly healed) to make targeted decisions before
they even get to hospitals,” she added. PCCI is advocating the immediate rollout of the mass screening program using RST starting with all PUIs awaiting access to PCR testing, all PUMs, vulnerable persons within the vicinity of a cluster of Covid-19 outbreak, and among front liners in the hospital and in the field. Persons who test positive from RST mass screening should also be required to undergo priority confirmatory testing by PCR. However, the FDA stresses the need for caution in the deployment of rapid test kits which should only be used by certified medical professionals, and called on local government chief executives, heads of agencies, hospitals and private companies to be cautious in using the approved test kits. Further, the agency asked doctors to help in testing and guide patients in the interpretation of the results. “We have to be very cautious in using these rapid test kits because they measure antibodies and not the viral load itself. The body takes time to develop antibodies and this might give a negative result for patients who have been infected but antibodies have not yet developed antibodies. A positive result due to cross reaction with other bacteria or viruses is also possible, which is why a confirmatory PCR based test is still required,” Domingo noted. Domingo also emphasized the need for the DOH to increase the number of capable laboratories accredited to perform the PCR confirmatory tests. DOH-10 Regional Director Dr. Adriano Suba-an said they plan to convert the TB (tuberculosis) Reference Center at the DOH compound in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City into a coronavirus disease COVID-19 testing laboratory during the Regional Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (RIATF-EID) held March 27 in Cagayan de Oro City. The DOH-10 TB Reference Center has an RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) equipment that can actually be used for the testing subject to compliance with COVID-19 testing standards and other requirements of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). The Indonesian Society of Respirology (PDPI) has
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 said diagnostic test kits for tuberculosis could be modified and used for COVID-19 since Cepheid, the US-based molecular diagnostics company producing the Xpert TBM/RIF diagnostic kits, has redesigned its Xpress Flu/RSV cartridges so that they can detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the deadly COVID-19 disease. Dr. Faisal Yunus, a member of the PDPI advisory board, said regular tuberculosis diagnostic machines in Indonesia could now detect COVID-19 if their cartridges were replaced with the new redesigned cartridges, Faisal told The Jakarta Post recently. The technology recently received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is now approved to run COVID-19 tests in the US. “FDA remains steadfast in its obligation to protect the public. Despite the global crisis we are faced with, FDA continues to safeguard public health by ensuring that health commodities, especially those related to addressing the COVID 19 emergency, are certified following regulatory standards – through streamlined processes,” Domingo noted. “Let us remain vigilant and hopeful as we protect each other’s welfare against those who seem to take advantage of this vulnerable situation. During this rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in the country, the agency continues to serve the people by giving them access to testing without compromising our mandate of ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of every health product for the public,” he added. (RMB)
Flight... from page 1
Ozamiz City Mayor Sancho Oaminal confirmed on Sunday evening (March 29) that the patient, 45 years old, was admitted at Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro, Sr. (MHARS) Medical Center in March 24, ten days after he arrived at his hometown in Jimenez. The patient is a seaman whose last country he travelled was Thailand. From Thailand, he stayed for several days in Manila before going gome to Mindanao. “He was first listed as person under monitoring (PUM) when he came home but was brought to the hospital after few days when he manifested flu-like
symptoms,” Oaminal said in a phone interview. The Depar tment of Health Region X during a press conference in Cagayan de Oro said the patient has “chief complaints of fever, cough, sore throat and headache, eight days prior to admission”. “The patient has preexisting condition of hypertension,” statement of the DOH said. Relaying the declaration of MHARS-MC’s physician, Oaminal said the patient is in clinically stable condition.
Chief... from page 1
He attended the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on March 12-13. As the chairperson of MinDA, Piñol was invited to be one of the panelists in the forum, where he presented the impact of the transfer of Indonesia’s capital to East Kalimantan, Borneo on the economy of the sub-region of Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). “I had to undergo a selfquarantine following my travel to Malaysia where cases of Covid-19 were reported during my trip there,” he said. He added that during the 14-day period, there was no testing kit needed as he was only required to have daily monitoring of his body temperature which fluctuated between 35.4 to 36 degrees Centigrade during the whole period. “I also did self-monitoring of symptoms like coughing and difficulty in breathing and I am pleased that there were no such manifestations,” he added. Right after being cleared, he said he started working with the Food Security Team of North Cotabato for the implementation of the MinDA Rolling Store Program. “Since MinDA workers cannot go to the office for the next two weeks because of the lockdown in Davao City, everybody will have to do his assignment at home,” Piñol added. (PNA)
Resources... from page 4
sustenance economy being advanced by the IPs. All told, the enclosure of the commons which has taken place all these years against the IPs has put a few in control of the resources and as a consequence produce the following scenario:
1. The exclusion of the IPs from access to resources that had been their common property or held in common; 2. The creation of “surplus” or “disposable” people (the IPs) by denying rights of access to the commons that sustained them; 3. The creation of private property by the enclosure of common property; 4. The replacement of diversity that provides for multiple needs and performs multiple function with monocultures that provide raw material and commodities for the market; 5. The enclosure of minds and imagination, with the result that enclosures are defined and perceived as universal human progress, not as growth of privilege and exclusive rights, for a few and dispossession and impoverishment of the many. Where are now the 17 million hectares of dipterocarp forest which were once upon a time the source of food and herbal medicine of our IPs? Who are controlling water which was once upon a time the domain of the IPs? Today, the IPs are the poorest, the powerless. Who now controls? Who now profits? Who now decides? The Position Paper of the Cooperative of the IPs zeroed-in on how they were in control before and how they maintained the integrity of the environment. Today, they are being displaced again. But they have awakened. To protect a holy ground, the Mindamora Falls” against its transformation into a “money-making spot” by the rich and powerful, this is their stand, “Handa kaming pumatay at magpakamatay!” In several meetings with them, I became so much alarmed – thus, this column. By the way, the newly formed cooperative of the IPs is called, “The Igpanayadug sa Abaga ta Bayug Agriculture Cooperative with some tens of thousands of IP members from several clans who are headed by half Maranaw and half Higaonon Chairman, Sultan Abdul Amoran. The very charismatic and popular Sultan was formerly the Brigade Commander of the MILF North Eastern Mindanao Front with some 5 division commanders and some 1,400 former MILF combatants. Let us all listen to their call to settle the problem peacefully. As the Position Paper’s final statement, “Ipinararating namin ang aming kahilingan at dalangin sa
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ating mahal na Pangulo, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte dahil alam namin na sya ay may malaking puso at binibigyan nya ng kahalagahan at sempatiya ang Tribu sa Mindanao. President Dutere, ikaw lamang po ang aming pag-asa na matulungan kami na makabangon at makatayong muli upong makamit ang tagumpay para sa darating pang henerasyon.”
Sector... from page 4
Ayala companies’ contribution for personnel-related financial support. P1.4 billion – for the rental condonation of tenants of Ayala malls during the lockdown period. For Ayala’s own employees: Acceleration of midyear bonus, deferment of payables to the Ayala MultiPurpose Cooperative and a new special financial assistance program at subsidized rates. Earlier, Ayala joined a consortium of around 20 like-minded business groups which will raise P1.5 billion to fund P1,000 grocery vouchers for an estimated 1 million urban poor families in Metro Manila. The distribution of vouchers will be undertaken by ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pag-Ibig and Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan. Included in the group are the Aboitiz Group, ABS-CBN and the Lopez Group, Alliance Global, AY Foundation and RCBC, Ayala Corp., Caritas Manila, Century Pacific, Concepcion Industrial Corp., DMCI, Gokongwei Group of Companies, Enrique Razon-led International Container Terminal Services Inc., Jollibee Foods Corp., Leonio Group, Mercury Drug, GT Capital, Nutri-Asia, Liwayway Marketing Group, the MVP Group, Puregold, San Miguel Corp., the SM Group, Sunlife of Canada and Suyen Corp. In a separate move, BPI, together with Ayala Corporation and Globe Telecom, donated P5 million to the Philippine Red Cross for the procurement and distribution of 50,000 face masks and 2,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) to medical front-liners who are in critical need of protection in hospitals, local government units, and airports. Note: You may wish to share the foregoing article via Facebook, Twitter and/ or Linked-In.
MINDANAO DAILY FEATURE TRUTH. JUSTICE. PROGRESS.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
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Due to limited capacity of medical institutions compared to the fast-growing number of people needing immediate medical attention, the Department of Health is looking at telemedicine, particularly primary care teleconsultation, to alleviate surge and minimize risks posed by unnecessary visits to hospitals. “There is an overwhelming demand for the healthcare industry and we understand the difficulties both the government and private medical institutions are facing to provide the public with the assistance they need during this outbreak. We are here to help our country by providing everyone with free access to a doctor so that they can seek medical advice without leaving their homes,� said Maridol Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc. which operates See PROVIDES, page 11