Davao airport authority, boon to trade, connectivity
With the current suspension of the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing for arriving passengers at the Davao International Airport (DIA) that started on January 13, 2021, there could be Covid-19 positive passengers who may slip in unnoticed into Davao City.
As the testing was set aside for now, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio emphasized the importance of strict implementation of Executive Order No. 62 which classified Davao City as a restricted local government unit (LGU).
“Because wala tay screening sa musulod via air travel and air travel is the fastest route na makapa-transport og mga COVID-19 confirmed cases and because walay mandatory testing ang airplane passengers, there will always be someone na positive makasulod. So this is where important ang implementation sa E.O. 63,” said Mayor Sara in a live broadcast interview on Friday.
The mayor said the city is redirecting its resources to address the local transmission since this is the highest in the list of cases.
“Duna ta’y suspension sa atong testing upon arrival sa airport because we are redirecting our resources didto sa local transmission sa syudad sa Davao,” she said.
The mayor added that personnel of the city government of Davao remain deployed at the DIA to enforce E.O. 63.
While testing is suspended, arriving passengers with negative RT-PCR tests taken within 24 to 72 hours before their scheduled flights to the city are prioritized in exiting the DIA after checking their health declaration forms (HDFs).
Mayor Sara also said that there are flight passengers inside the DIA holding facility while waiting to be fetched by their LGUs.
She said that non-Davao City residents arriving through the DIA will have to go straight to their LGU of destination.
The city established the free RT-PCR testing at DIA for arriving passengers who have no RT-PCR negative results to show upon their exit. A negative RT-PCR test result is a requirement for a passenger to exit DIA.
Non-Davao City flight passengers may still exit the airport even without the RT-PCR negative test as long as their LGUs will fetch them and they can present other needed documents. She, thus, urged neighboring local government units (LGUs) to pick up their locally stranded individuals (LSIs) at the DIA.
For Davao City residents without negative RT-PCR test results to show, their HDFs and other necessary documents will be checked. By Maya M. Padillo
A Filipino crew member on the the Ruby Princess displays a Philippine flaglet as the ship departs from Port Kembla in Wollongong, Australia. (AP Photo/Rick Rycrof)
The cruise ship notorious for being Australia’s Covid-19 ‘super spreader’ is heading to Manila, Philippines.
Ruby Princess, already the subject of a criminal investigation after it became Australia’s largest single source of coronavirus infections set off from the Australian shores with about 500 on board just before 5:00 p.m. (Sydney Time) on Thursday, April 23, a month after it was ordered by police to leave.
Manned mostly by a Filipino crew, the Ruby Princess has been linked to 21 deaths in Australia and more than 700 COVID-19 cases or more than 10 per cent of all cases in the nation. Australia has recorded 75 coronavirus deaths. A government inquiry is underway into why 2,700 passengers and crew were allowed to disembark in Sydney on March 19 before the test results of sick passengers were known.
Two passengers died after returning home in the United States. So far, more than 190 crew have tested positive for Covid-19 and the 1,100 crew have been in varying lengths of quarantine on board for weeks. According to a report by The Guardian, the Filipino crew on board the Ruby Princess say they are worried for their health and have been “left in the dark” as the virus-hit cruise ship left for Manila to bring them home.
Crew members are seen giving ‘thumbs up’ out the window as they finally start their long journey home. (AAP) The Ruby Princess cruise ship, which was the source of hundreds of Australia’s Coronavirus cases, departs Port Kembla, NSW, with its remaining crew. (Photo from 9News/Janie Barrett)
The ship is operated by Princess Cruises , a subsidiary of Carnival Corp., which is incorporated in Bermuda and headquartered in California.
Earlier on Thursday, more than 300 Filipino crew free from the virus disembarked and were taken to Sydney Airport by coach, where they were set to fly home to Manila in the evening. They traveled from Port Kembla, south of Sydney, in 40 buses to observe strict social distancing rules enforced in Australia.
Australia’s Health authorities said everyone who remains on board has been cleared of the virus.
“We’ve had the isolation procedures long enough, we’ve not seen new cases, we also understand the medical capability on this ship, so for all of those reasons, we have formed the view that the ship is now in a position to set sail,” New South Wales Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant was quoted as saying in a report by Idahonews.
The Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Australia and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) said it continued to work closely with the manning agencies and state and federal authorities to ensure the health and safe repatriation of the Filipino crew of the cruise ships.
Relatives in the Philippines who wished to get more detailed information on the condition of individual Filipino crew members have been advised to get in touch with the relevant manning agencies in the Philippines as follows: Ruby Princess – Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (Domingo Fua: +632 85269645 / jun.fua@magsaysay.com.ph) Golden Princess – Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (Domingo Fua: +632 85269645/ jun.fua@magsaysay.com.ph) Artania – Five Star Marine Services Corp. (Mr. Francis Nico Gutierrez: +632 5739481/ francis.nico@fivestarmarinecorporation.com); and BSM Crew Service Centre Phils. Inc. (Capt. Armando Santosidad +632 85165640 Loc. 7703 / Armando.Santosidad@bs-shipmanagement.com).
The Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Australia has assured that it is committed in upholding the welfare and safety of Filipinos in Australia.
Ruby Princess is under investigation by the State police whether its management downplayed potential virus cases before passengers disembarked.
Based on reports, several passengers flew from Sydney overseas. Two passengers died after returning home in the United States, including 64-year-old Los Angeles resident Chung Chen, whose family is suing Princess Cruises for more than $1 million for failing to alert passengers to the risk. Last April 3, the Philippine Embassy in Canberra informed the public that Filipino crew members are onboard the following cruise ships in Australia: Ruby Princess in New South Wales, Golden Princess in Victoria, and Artania in Western Australia.
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 22 April) – At least 43 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mindanao have been traced to attendance at the “Araw ng Davao celebration six-cock derby” at the New Davao Matina Gallera last month or exposure to those who were at the derby, including three cases in Cotabato City, records from the regional offices of the Department of Health in Mindanao, Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and local government units show.
Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi told MindaNews that three of the city’s six COVID-19 positives trace their history to the Davao derby, bringing the total number of cases outside Davao City with links to the derby at 22.
Earlier, eight confirmed cases linked to the Davao derby were reported in Davao del Norte (six who went to the derby and two household members of those who went to the derby), two in North Cotabato two in Davao del Sur, and one each in Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, General Santos, Davao de Oro, Maguindanao, Bukidnon and Butuan – all of them with case histories of attendance at the Davao derby.
Mayor Sayadi told.MindaNews that two attended the derby while one is the wife of someone who went to the derby.
Dr. Meyasser Patadon, Cotabato City Health Officer, told MindaNews that Cases 4 and 6 went to the derby in Davao while Case 5 is the wife of a person (not Case 4 or 6) who was at the derby in Davao.
Three cases
According to records Patadon sent to Mindanews, CC-04 is 46 years old, married, a resident of Rosary Heights 13 with history of travel to Davao City from March 7 to 14 and attendance at the derby. He was admitted at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center on March 23, confirmed positive on March 26 and discharged on April 2. He is in stable condition, “fully recovered with one negative test result” on April 15.
CC-05 is 49, female, married, a resident of Rosary Heights 10 with history of travel to Davao City on February 14 and had “close contact with husband from Davao City last March 14.” Patadon told MindaNews that CC-05’s husband attended the derby in Davao. The wife was admitted on March 26 and confirmed positive on March 28. She is in stable condition and was discharged from the hospital on April 9. Result of the COVID-19 test taken on April 19 is “still pending.”
CC-06 is 58, male, married, a resident of Rosary Heights 12 with history of travel to Davao City on March 10 to 13 and attendance at the derby at the Matina Gallera. CC-06 is “in stable condition, never admitted to a medical facility.” He was confirmed positive on April 1. The result of his COVID-19 test on April 19 is “still pending.”
Patadon said Cotabato City also tracked down people who were in close contact with Cases 4, 5 and 6: 19 for CC-04, 35 for CC-05 and 21 for CC-06.
Inside Davao City
The number of confirmed cases in Mindanao had reached 163 as of April 21. Of this number, 113 are in the Davao region, 16 in Region 12 (Soccsksargen), 12 in Zamboanga Peninsula, 11 in Northern Mindanao, nine in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and two in Caraga region.
In its press release on April 18, when the total regional count was still 99, the DOH-Davao reported that 32 cases in the region were linked to the derby: 26 “had exposure at Matina Gallera” and six “were exposed to confirmed cases who went to Matina Gallera.”
There are 19 others “exposed to suspected COVID-19 patients” but DOH-Davao has yet to explain what this means and if the “suspected COVID-19 patients” include those who went to the derby or had close contact with those who were at the derby. Eighteen had history of travel from Manila, eight from other places and five “have no known exposure.”
Of 16 deaths as of April 18, all of them in Davao City, six “had been to Matina Gallera,” eight were “exposed to suspected cases,” one had a history of travel from Manila and the other from Singapore.
The DOH-Davao did not provide a breakdown of the 32 cases in the region that it said are linked to the derby as of April 18. It has not also released the case histories of COVID-19 positives except for Cases 1 to 6.The histories of Cases 7 and 8 were given by Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat.The case histories of 9 to 113 have yet to be released.
But MindaNews had earlier checked with the local government units in the neighboring areas in the region and found 11 cases with histories of exposure to the Matina Gallera or had close contact with persons who went to the derby: eight in Davao del Norte, two in Davao del Sur and one in Davao de Oro.
Thirty-two less 11 leaves at least 21 cases in Davao City linked to the derby as of April 18 when the regional total was still 99 and Davao City’s total was 83.
By April 21, however, the total regional count had reached 113 and Davao City’s at 97.
At least 21 cases in Davao City and 22 outside Davao City add up to at least 43 cases in Mindanao linked to the Davao derby.
This number represents only the reported cases in MIndanao.
The six-cock derby attracted thousands from Mindanao, Luzon and the Visayas vying for the 26 million peso prize pot, 17 million of that for the champion. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
SIx-cock derby announcement on tarpaulin outside the New Davao Matina Gallera says prize pot is 26 million pesos, 17 million for the champion. MindaNews photo by GREGORIO BUENO
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 April) – A 10-year old girl from Butuan City with no signs and symptoms and no travel history but “in close contact” with a person who attended the six-cock derby in the New Davao Matina Gallera last month, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Department of Health’s Center for Health Development in Caraga region posted a press release at around 11 p.m. Wednesday that they received at 6:30 p.m. the results of the girl’s RT-PCR confirmatory results from the Research Institute for Ttropical Medicine (RITM).
The girl is the third confirmed COVID-19 case in Caraga region. She is also the 23rd case outside Davao City and the 44th in Mindanao whose infection is traced to the Davao derby.
“This is our call to the public even from the beginning. Stay at home and report to the right authorities if you manifest COVID-19 symptoms, if you have been in close contact to a confirmed case or if you have travelled to an area with local transmission,” DOH-Caraga Director Jose Llacuna, Jr. said.
Oropharyngeal swabs were taken from six persons, including the 10-year old girl, the third batch of those who tested positive in the Rapid Antibody Tests conducted by the local government of Butuan City. These were subjected to RT-PCR test. The five others tested negative.
The fourth batch of samples was already sent, yesterday, April 21, 2020 to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the sub-national laboratory for Mindanao.
All three cases in the Caraga region are from Butuan City – the first with a history of travel from Manila while the two others were infected by someone who went to the Davao derby – the 10-year old girl and a 65-year old male who also had no history of travel but whose son went to the Davao derby.
It is not clear if the 10-year old was infected by the same person who infected the 65-year old. Or by another person who went to the Davao derby. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
The Department of Health Davao Center for Health and Development (DOH DCHD) will establish certified laboratories in the Davao Region to augment the current capacity of health authorities in testing for COVID-19.
The current capacity for testing for COVID-19 at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is at 100 to 150 tests per day covering the entire Mindanao. The said medical facility is looking into partnering with the laboratory of the University of the Philippines Mindanao Genome Center (UPMGC) and Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC). With the addition of the said laboratory, testing can increase the range of detection for COVID-19 in communities within the Davao region and other parts of Mindanao.
The Chief Training Officer for SPMC Dr. Maria Elinore Concha discussed how important it is to establish partnerships with other medical facilities to provide infrastructure for testing and eventually further the campaign of controlling the spread of the said virus.
“Ang partnership ng UP Mindanao Genome Center at Davao Regional Medical Center din for the Davao Region para magkaroon pa ng isang pasilidad upang mag mapalawig pa ang testing (The partnership with the UP Mindanao Genome Center and Davao Regional Medical Center for the Davao is to have an additional facility to widen the scope of testing in the Davao Region),” Dr. Concha said.
The Assistant Regional Director for the DOH DCHD Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera said that the recent six (6) positive cases last April 19 were exposed and infected through community transmission in the Davao Region. With this, health authorities in the region seek to implement a wider testing coverage due to the increasing cases of local community transmissions in Region XI.
“Marami nga tayong case sa Buhangin pero hindi lang diyan nila nakuha yun – yung index case nila is hindi lahat galing diyan kasi mobile yung mga tao eh…yung iba naman within the household lang (We have a lot of cases in Buhangin but not all cases were exposed in the same area – the index case of patients is not from the same area because the people are mobile…the others [were infected] within their household,” Dr. Rivera said. (PIA XI/KPC)
GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said claims that the novel coronavirus was transmitted to people “from an animal” and originated in a laboratory in China are inaccurate.
“All available evidence suggests the virus has an animal origin and it was not manipulated or constructed in a lab, or somewhere else,” said WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib who was questioned at a United Nations video news conference in Geneva about allegations the virus spread from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Those claims were given by US President Donald Trump who said last week that Washington wanted to find out whether the virus originated from a laboratory in Wuhan.
“It most probably has its ecological reservoir in bats, but how the virus came from bats to humans is still to be discovered,” said Chaib. “There was certainly an intermediary host or another animal that transmitted this virus from bats to this other animal, to humans.”
Chaib welcomed all countries to help find the origin of the virus and said it was only to be expected that a lot of “spurious” theories circulate in the media and social media when there is a new virus.
“[The] WHO is a science-based organization, and we are joining forces with a lot of experts to find the origin of the virus — in Wuhan or another place,” she said.
Scientists and researchers are scrambling to find a vaccine for the virus which has infected more than 2.5 million worldwide and killed over 171,800.
“We have more than 70 vaccines in development globally and several therapeutics are in clinical trials,” she said.
The WHO is working with the United Nations and pharmaceutical manufacturers, so when a vaccine is found, it will be equitably shared with all countries, said Chaib. (Anadolu)
The Philippine National Police Regional Office XI (PNP PRO XI) has allocated personnel who can serve as reserve medical staff for medical facilities in the event of a shortage of medical staff in the Davao region.
The Regional Director of PNP PRO XI Police Brigadier General Filmore B. Escobal discussed the relevance of the allocation of manpower to the current campaign of the government to control the spread of COVID-19 in the region.
“Pag nagkaroon po tayo ng kakulangan ng health workers, andito po sila – reserves sila (If we happen to have a shortage in health workers, they will be here – they will be the reserves),” PNP PRO XI Regional Director Escobal stated.
The PNP PRO XI Regional Director discussed the process of vetting qualified personnel amongst their ranks who are registered nurses to augment the current efforts of medical front liners in the City of Davao.
“Tayo po ay nagsagawa ng imbentaryo kung sino sa mga police natin ay licensed nurses – tayo po ay nakapag identify ng 187 nurses pero pinili po namin yung mga nurses na walang issue sa kanilang kalusugan or obligasyon sa kanilang duty o sa pamilya kaya meron po tayong 37 na nurses out of the 187 (We conducted an inventory of personnel to see which police officers are licensed nurses – we have identified 187 potential nurses but the vetting process requires each nurse to have no pre-existing health issues, duty or family obligations and that is why we have selected 37 nurses out of the 187),” PBG Escobal stated.
The Department of Health Davao Center for Health Development (DOH DCHD) is currently training the 37 qualified police staff in preparation for service in the field if necessary. In light of the recent lockdowns, the Regional Director Escobal received information that there are already two police officers who were deployed.
“Ngayong araw po meron na po dalawa na tinawag na mag render po ng duty – para mag man po ng PUI centers (Today we had two who were called to render their time in duty to man PUI centers),” PBG Escobal added. (PIA XI/KPC)
With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases climbing over a hundred in Mindanao, Pilipinas Shell has expanded its efforts in the region to improve public transportation and aid frontliners in their fight against a potentially severe outbreak in Mindanao.
“The health and safety of our people, our customers, and the community are most important to us, and we continue to monitor the situation closely so we can respond to the needs of our kababayans,” said Pilipinas Shell’s CEO and Country Chairman Cesar Romero. “As everyone plays their part in this fight against this pandemic, patuloy ninyong kasama ang Shell sa bawat biyahe ng buhay.”
Free fuel has been provided to two partner hospitals, Davao Doctors Hospital in Davao and Polymedic Plaza in Cagayan de Oro.
After identifying a mobility challenge in the area, Pilipinas Shell offered the fuel subsidy to its partners in order to aid the transportation of frontliners, the mobilization of ambulances, and other ongoing relief efforts.
As of the moment, there are also 61 Shell retail gas stations in Mindanao who are offering discounts on gasoline and diesel products not only for frontliners, but for everyone making their journey on the road.
Shell’s gas stations have also starting donating water and food packs to nearby hospitals and frontliners from their Select convenience stores. One site in Davao has even set itself up as a donation hub where people can leave donations such as PPEs and food packs to be picked up by the Davao Task Force and delivered to hospitals.
Other stations have also started making face shields for frontliners and have donated them to Socomedics Hospital in Koronadal City as well as various checkpoints throughout Iligan City.
In an effort to help decongest traffic in supermarkets, Select stores have updated their product offerings to provide basic needs to the public so they can continue to purchase crucial supplies while still maintaining appropriate social distancing.
Various retailer partners have also stepped up to provide additional support by offering free coffee, face masks, and snacks at their stations.
For 106 years, Shell as remained committed to be the country’s partner in nation-building. During this trying time, the company has made the Philippines’ mobility, health and safety, and energy security its top priorities. It aims to help the nation weather today’s COVID-19 situation so it can be ready to progress again tomorrow. ###
Frontliners get fuel discounts when they gas up at Shell
The Davao Extension Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on lending and financing companies to abide by the guidelines set out providing grace period to borrowers during the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), or they will face the burden of being penalized.
OIC Director Atty. Katrina Ponco-Estares said that about 20% of the 40 inquiries that the extension office received in the last 20 days were on issues about financing or lending companies and their loans. One such complaint was saying that the lending company, although implementing the grace period, told its borrowers that they needed to pay the full amount of the loan after the lifting of the grace period.
“As the primary regulator of lending and financing companies, the extension office has urged these complainants to file formal complaints so that their cases can be investigated. By filing formal complaints, we assure the aggrieved parties that we will do everything in our power to protect borrowers from harassment and abusive lending practices,” said Ponco-Estares.
“We want to send a strong message to lending and financing companies to strictly adhere to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Any violation or non-compliance shall be dealt with to the full extent of the law,” she added.
Under Section 3.01 of the IRR issued by the Department of Finance, all covered institutions shall implement a 30-day grace period for all loans with principal and/or interest falling due within the ECQ Period without incurring interest on interest, penalties, fees and other charges. The initial 30-day grace period shall automatically be extended if the ECQ Period is extended by the President of the Republic of the Philippines pursuant to his emergency powers under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
The IRR also covers banks, quasi-banks, non-stock savings and loan associations, credit card issuers, pawnshops and other credit granting financial institutions under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Cooperative Development Authority, whether public or private, including the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System and Pag-IBIG Fund.
Section 6 of the same law emphasizes that violators, aside from being penalized with previously applicable penalties under existing laws, will also face the possibility of imprisonment of two (2) months or a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than one million pesos (P1,000,000.00), or both.
Those who want to file complaints against their lenders may go to http://www.sec.gov.ph/lending-companies-and-financing-companies/complaints/. In sending the complaint form to cgfd_md@sec.gov.ph via e-mail, kindly use the following format in the subject head of the e-mail: FULL NAME_COMPANY COMPLAINED OF_SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT (ex: JUAN DELA CRUZ_ABC LENDING_DISCLOSURE STATEMENT VIOLATION).
Most coronavirus disease control measures are universally experimental. Save for the trusted, personal hygiene, social distancing and isolation measures, all other measures especially those that relate to movement restrictions are experimental and vary according to location, local laws and culture. That said, when local governments enforce measures to control people’s movement outdoors like the community quarantine in varying degrees, there is also an accompanying responsibility to check these ‘experiments’ whether there are flaws in the system, whether they are effective or not based on empirical evidence. A case in point is Davao City’s ECQ and its relative tools to ensure community compliance. While there is a marked decrease in the number of vehicles on the road, the numbers are still irritatingly exceeding expectations. Convergence areas like public markets still attract huge crowds albeit controlled by the FM pass. Oh yes, with the FM Pass, the confusion on the first day is arguably the number coding. Press the bummer alert on this one and revisit quickly the numbers assigned to clusters. Like we said, experiments do have some flaws because as their very nature is, they are experiments. Any number-based instruments traditionally begin with the same assigned digits except for the last one like IDs, lottery tickets, document control numbers, bank account numbers, currency bills and even our phone numbers. A quick check and some fix like re-assigning the number coding, say, use the last digit instead for more uniqueness will do the trick. Since the city government is very clear that limiting people leaving their homes is the main battlecry of this whole Covid-19 tactical strategy, perhaps it is worth looking at the limitations not only on how many people go out and where they are only allowed to go. Looking beyond the volume means looking at the time element. In the same context as the curfew hours, the use of FM pass based on clusters should have a time limit. For example, market hours for barangays may be assigned and limited to 2 hours. We get it, early bird catches the worm. That explains why people rush to the markets at the first opening hours. It’s a bit tricky but the city’s market experts may look into this in the coming days. In other countries battling the virus, grocery hours for particular areas and sectors are assigned to avoid crowding. Talking about public markets, these are danger zones. So people must limit their visits to markets even with the valid FM pass. Marketing should be done accumulatively for a week’s consumption perhaps. Some people go to market for the sake of going to market and because they have a pass. Some just out of curiosity. What’s the outside world like today? Or out of curiosity of what’s in the shelves. Boredom kills, yes. But so do curiosity. Ask the cat. Finally, there will be ‘pasaways.’ From motorists evading checkpoints to people flaunting social distancing and isolation laws. The city government is not lacking in warnings and cautions. Even the use of slogans and some scary reminders like “laparo” and “sagpa”. We have lived with these violently-themed warnings. Long time ago, we heard a baby product commercial tell us: “ang mikrobyo hindi bini-baby, pinapatay.” It’s nothing new these cute little threats. But there has to be enforcement of the law. Not just threats. Warnings must be accompanied by faithful enforcement of penalties. Where violators are not dealt with accordingly, the ‘pasaways’ will have their field day flaunting. These law-breakers and flaunters should get what they deserve under the law, not necessarily a slap or some beating. The city government is not falling short in working to keep everyone safe. But just to be clear, what we are saying here is not fault-finding but contributing our part in assigning errors to fix a system.
Three new cases were added to the total number of positive cases of COVID-19, the new coronavirus 2019, at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) bringing the total count to 93.
Based on the data of SPMC, as of April 20, 2020, the total number of positives reached 93 after three new cases were recorded. Of the 93 positive cases, 68 are males and 28 are females with an average age of 45 years old.
The total number of recoveries remains 46 with an average age of 42 years old and of the 46 cases, 35 are males and 11 are females.
There are no new deaths recorded and the total number of casualties stays at 17. Of the total 17 deaths, 13 are males and four are females with an average age of 54 years old.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered restrictions on celebrations and events whether private or public in Davao City until 2021 in observance of the Period of Mourning and Vigilance beginning on Friday until December 31, 2020. In her Executive Order (EO) No. 25 released on Friday, the mayor declared the period of mourning to emphasize the value of sympathy for the families of frontliners who have died and could die because of COVID-19. The declaration also aims to instill upon everyone the value of empathy for those who are suffering and will continue to suffer the after effects of the pandemic. During this period of mourning, all city and national government celebrations, parties, anniversaries, and festivities shall be cancelled. The mayor emphasized that the commemoration of important dates and legal holidays should be kept short and must be in a somber tone. She ordered all barangays to refrain from extravagant celebration of their fiesta as well as all founding anniversaries/Araw ng Barangay celebrations shall be cancelled. For private parties to mark personal of family occasions and gatherings, Mayor Sara emphasized to keep them low key and modest. “As a guide, low key can mean a celebration in a public place with no more than 25 guests. Those who want to hold a big celebration are advised to postpone it until the year 2021,” the mayor said. She also stressed that private sector shall also abide by the requirements of this period and should consider food distribution, feeding program or financial assistance to their employees instead of grandiose celebrations to mark their important events.
Various AboitizPower business units, in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, have been providing assistance to their host beneficiaries amid the pandemic situation. The ER 1-94 funds will augment these efforts to help the local government units have enough resources in their fight against COVID-19.
Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) welcomes the recent move of the Department of Energy (DOE), allowing communities that host power generation projects to use their revenue shares from these facilities to help them combat the effects of COVID-19.
AboitizPower President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio said this development is a push in the right direction as it is expected to aid in strengthening local government response to the ongoing health crisis.
“We thank Secretary Cusi and the DOE for this proactive initiative. We stand ready to collaborate with them and our local government units (LGUs) to facilitate the quick disbursement of these funds in the fight against COVID-19,” he added.
The DOE on April 6 issued Department Circular No. 2020-04-00080, which laid down rules on the targeted use of communities’ share in electricity sales for hosting power projects or the Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER 1-94) Program funds. The ER 1-94 Program is a policy under the DOE Act of 1992 and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), which stipulates that host communities will get a share of one centavo for every kilowatt-hour (P0.01/kWh) generated by power plants operating in its area.
The fund can be used by host beneficiaries for the electrification of areas or households that have no access to power, development and livelihood programs, as well as reforestation, watershed management, health, and environmental enhancement initiatives.
With the new circular covering ER 1-94 funds, host LGUs can now use these shares to help manage the effects of the new virus, in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. This includes the facilitation of mass testing by providing and constructing facilities, as well as acquiring proper medical testing kits.
AboitizPower is currently downloading to around 130 host beneficiaries across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao P146 million worth of funds generated as of December 25, 2019.
Another P338 million from various AboitizPower-led generating companies, accumulated as of 2018, is also currently being remitted by DOE to the host beneficiaries.
“This is our contribution to the government’s efforts to ensure that all LGUs have enough resources to help contain, mitigate, and eventually eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in their areas,” Rubio added.
An administrative staff of Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) died due to COVID-19 on Wednesday morning, the hospital chief announced. SPMC chief of hospital Dr. Leopoldo Vega in a phone interview revealed the patient was the second casualty from the hospital’s administrative staff due to COVID-19. “Technically, the person who died was not a “frontliner” since he was not part of medical team who has direct contact and treat patients with COVID but he was part of our admin staff,” Vega said. The two patients were among the 12 frontliners of SPMC tested positive for COVID-19 wherein nine were already discharged. Vega also clarified that the 12 fronliners are composed of eight doctors and nurses and four non-medical staff of SPMC.
The Davao City government has completed the first round of food relief distribution in the city on Tuesday reaching close to half a million families and individuals in different barangays.
Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said a total of 428,571 grocery packs have been distributed by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) or over 70,000 more than the 350,000 total packs planned by the city.
Mayor Sara said the order was only 350,000 food packs each of the 3-round distribution but the city received additional requests for food assistance, thus, the upcoming two rounds of distribution would not be of the same number of grocery packs.
The mayor is, however, optimistic the city can reach more families as she is expecting assistance from the national government under the Bayanihan We Heal As One fund.
“Pag-abot sa atoang Bayanihan We Heal As One funding, gikan sa national government, katong kulang nato, atoa nang i-charge didto (When the funds from the national government under the Bayanihan We Heal As One, we will charge it there),” she said.
She said the city’s share from the national funds which is intended for food assistance and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), amounts to P462,047,664.
Meanwhile, the City Agriculturist Office and the City Veterinarian’s Office also rolled out their food assistance for those without food ration cards.
“What we want to do is patch almost everyone who is in need of relief goods,” Mayor Sara said.
Tibungco, Daliao, Lubogan, Toril Poblacion, and Crossing Bayabas were among the areas that were given agri-food packs consisting of vegetables and fish. Some also received dressed chicken.
The targeted areas to receive this assistance are the economically depressed ones. CIO
The Department of Surgery of Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH) has agreed to impose a relaxed billing scheme to patients urgently needing surgery referred by Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). According to SPMC chief of hospital Dr. Leopoldo Vega, the “No Balance Billing (NBB)” scheme enables the vulnerable sectors of the program such as the poor and the elderly to pay no more in excess of their PhilHealth coverage when confined in government facilities.
Vega said in a text message to Edge Davao that DDH has responded to his call for private hospitals in Davao City to accept indigent patients that are being catered by SPMC. He said they already signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DDH.
“Davao Doctors has responded and we already have a MOA. We will start with the dept’ of surgery” Vega said. Vega said both parties have agreed that once referrals are sent by SPMC, DDH will accept up to the time when SPMC starts accepting non-COVID patients again. Vega made his call to private hospitals due to SPMC can no longer accommodate non-COVID patients since it was identified as subnational laboratory for COVID-19 in Mindanao by the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) to assist the national reference laboratories in surveillance and outbreak response against COVID-19, the new coronavirus 2019. Vega is reaching out to other private hospitals to start catering indigent patients particularly those who need surgeries and operations on a “no balance billing” scheme. “It is the only way that we can help out these indigent patients who can no longer be admitted at SPMC because of the many positive and non-COVID probable cases that we have right now,” Vega said. “Because we want to concentrate now on COVID patients and so that we can allocate our human resources and PPEs.”
PATIENT CARE CENTER. Beds and compartments are put inside the BRP Ang Pangulo which was converted into a quarantine facility for Covid-19 patients. President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the conversion of the presidential yacht into a floating medical facility last April 3. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)
Presidential yacht BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS-25) is now ready for use of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients, the Philippine Navy (PN) said on Sunday night.
This after the ship has successfully undergone necessary works needed for its conversion as a floating quarantine facility, PN public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a statement.
“(The) (r)emodeling of the ship began within 48 hours following President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement to utilize the ship for (coronavirus disease 2019) patients. Officers and enlisted personnel aboard ACS-25 (BRP Ang Pangulo) spearheaded the transformation of the VIP compartments of the ship into Covid-19 dedicated medical ward and patient rooms that can accommodate a total of 28 patients with five medical personnel,” she added.
The President ordered the conversion of the BRP Ang Pangulo into a medical facility last April 3.
Three exclusive compartments were prepared by PN personnel for the patients with temporary division in place, observing a three-meter distance between them.
Patients and medical staff are given different access points, Roxas said.
The crew will remain on board while the ship is being utilized as a quarantine facility. They were already provided with personal protection equipment (PPE) sets while rapid anti-body tests were conducted.
All entry points from the crew’s billeting area and other compartments from the temporary medical facility and patient rooms were already sealed off.
“The prompt transformation of ACS-25 into a floating hospital is consistent with what the Navy chief Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, previously reiterated that the ‘Navy is fully committed to supporting the ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One’ initiative by devoting our personnel, and resources as we explore all possible means to contain and defeat the spread of the (coronavirus disease 2019) in the country’,” Roxas said. (PNA)
The sick Russian sailor fetched by ambulance in Mati City port. Photo by Mati CIO
The Russian Embassy in the Philippines announced that Captain Alexander Solodyannikov, the sick seaman who was airlifted from Mati City last April 7, is now safe and is currently confined at a medical center in Metro Manila.
Solodyannikov, a crewmember of tanker Asphalt Transporter, had an attack of an unknown respiratory syndrome when examined by a physician while the ship was sailing along Luzon channel.
The Asphalt Transporter moored at the entrance of Pujada Bay last Tuesday and Solodyannikov was fetched by the Coast Guard speedboat and transported to the waiting ambulance at the Mati wharf. He was successfully transported by plane to Manila by a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) medical team from the Mati Incident Management Team (IMT).
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Russian Embassy explained that the ship’s doctor could not help Solodyannikov. The post also said that no country would allow him to enter to be admitted to a hospital due to the COVID-19 scare.
It is the Philippine government that responded to the Embassy’s request very quickly despite the lockdown and the quarantine measures and allowed Solodyannikov to be taken off the ship to a medical center in Metro Manila. The Embassy thanked the Philippine Government for the swift response.
2LT Vince MagbanuaA Facebook post from 2LT Magbanua’s girlfriend.Facebook post of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa
A Dabawenyo Philippine Army officer suspected of having contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) died on Wednesday afternoon became the first casualty to the dreaded virus from the military frontliners. The victim was identified as Army 2LT Vince Magbanua who was declared dead on arrival at the Norzagaray Municipal Hospital at 3:40 p.m. after he was rushed there for severe breathing difficulty. In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo on Thursday confirmed Magbanua’s death. The 24-year old Magbanua hails from Davao City and was assigned in Bulacan. He was a graduate of Colegio de San Ignacio in Davao City and was a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Alab Tala Class of 2018.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa was among those who first posted a message of sympathy to the family of Magbanua. The Dabawenyo lawmaker and PMA alumnus wrote: “Rest easy 2Lt Vince Magbanua, my cavalier, kababayan and schoolmate of my children. You have now complied everything. Mission accomplished.” A father of Magbanua’s classmate in the PMA also posted: “2Lt Vince Dela Cruz Magbanua PA died helping others while exposing himself to covid-19 in the outskirts of Sierra Madre . THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WAS MADE SO THAT OTHERS WILL STAY @HOME.” “It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of one of our young and promising officers, Army 2LT VINCE MAGBANUA at 3:40 pm yesterday, April 8,” Arevalo said in a statement.
According to Arevalo, Magbanua was rushed to the hospital on April 7 in an ambulance after complaining of having difficulty in breathing. The Army officer was then diagnosed with acute bronchitis and was advised to return to the barracks to medicate and undergo self-quarantine. The Army has yet to receive a report on whether Magbanua has COVID-19 but contact protocols and contact tracing are already being implemented in the 48th Infantry Battalion as a matter of precaution. “We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of 2LT MAGBANUA, a member of PMA “Alab Tala” Class of 2018. He is looked up to by his superiors, peers, and subordinates for his dedication, commitment, and idealism,” the AFP official said.
Magbanua’s remains was immediately cremated on Thursday, according to a source, witnessed by his twin brother Viko, also an Army serviceman belonging to the PMA 2019 class and assigned in Quezon Province.
Discrimination against frontliners is now punishable by law.
The 19th City Council passed an ordinance on Wednesday prohibiting any form of harassment, discrimination, prejudice or inflicting any shame or humiliation against frontline workers, confirmed infected patients, persons under monitoring (PUMs), persons under investigation (PUIs) and close contacts during this state of public health emergency.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of the said Ordinance shall be punished by a fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than one year.
The council also passed an ordinance instituting the Davao City COVID-19 Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) policies. The said ordinance is a compilation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines and all the executive orders on COVID-19 issued by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Both ordinances were proposed by councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday broached the idea of selling public properties if the government falls short of money that will be tapped to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). In a speech aired on state-run PTV-4 on late Wednesday night, Duterte said his last resort was to sell government assets, including state-owned institutions Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) which are both located in Pasay City. “‘Pag maubos talaga ang pera, ipagbili ko lahat ng propriedad ng gobyerno, iyang Cultural Center, PICC. ‘Yung lupa diyan. Totoo (I will sell government properties, the CCP and PICC. That’s true). That’s the last (option) ‘pag wala na akong makuha (if I no longer have the money) and we are about to sink,” he said.
Duterte met with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Wednesday night to discuss the government’s efforts to fight Covid-19.
Duterte, upon the recommendation of IATF-EID, has extended the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the entire Luzon until April 30 to stop the further transmission of Covid-19.
Covid-19 infections in the Philippines has already climbed to 3,870, with 182 deaths and 96 recoveries.
The national government has received PHP275 billion as an emergency fund for Covid-19 response.
Duterte, however, said the government has yet to fully receive the PHP275 billion, explaining that the money still needs to be collected in the second and third quarters of 2020.
“‘Yung budget na pinapatakbo natin (The budget we’re using) was prepared last year but Covid-19 (emergency fund) was not included in that budget,” he said. “It’s not there. Magkokolekta pa ako (I still have to collect the money).” No source of income
Duterte earlier said the PHP275-billion fund for Covid-19 response will not last long.
In his latest remarks, Duterte admitted that the government has “no source of income now”.
“What is so exasperating is that we are trying our best… There’s no source of income now, except maybe, perhaps ‘yung fixed assets natin, ‘yung mga lupa na may mga building (our fixed assets, the government-owned buildings),” he said. Duterte said the money he could earn just in case he sells the government properties would be distributed to people who are in need.
“Ako, magbibigay ako sa inyo ng hope. For the time na nandito ako, ako ang control. Ibigay ko lahat. Ipagbili ko lahat ng propriedad ng kung saan. Ibibigay ko sa inyo ‘yan (I will give you hope. I will take control while I’m here. I will sell government properties. I will give you the money). Do not worry about the money,” he said.
Stay afloat
Around 18 million poor families have been affected by the crisis brought about by Covid-19.
Some PHP200 billion of the PHP275 billion would be spent to help the 18 million low-income households amid the implementation of Luzon-wide ECQ.
Duterte said he had received assurance from Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that the government can generate funds to combat Covid-19.
“He (Dominguez) is assuring that we can still stay afloat,” he said. “Sabi niya (He said), we can generate funds. Sabi niya, marami namang mahiraman (He said we can borrow money).”
Dominguez, who was also present during the meeting at Malacañang, ensured that the government is “very well-prepared”.
He said the government would also come up with a program to continuously borrow more money to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“We are confident we have the financial capability to bridge this problem — the Covid-19 has brought us. So we want to assure all our citizens that at this point in time, we have the money although we have to realize na hindi naman endless ‘yung pera na ito (that the spending of this money is not endless). So we have to spend it correctly,” Dominguez said. (PNA)
Department of Social Welfare and Development spokesperson Irene Dumlao
Department of Social Welfare and Development spokesperson Irene Dumlao
As the government brings down the financial assistance to households that were heavily affected by the enhanced community quarantine brought about by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified some issues on the provision of the cash grants.
“When we were formulating the joint memorandum circular (JMC) for the implementation [of the SAP], naging basehan ng DSWD ang “Listahanan” 2015. We identified 15 million families who belonged to the poorest of the poor, and through the Philippine Statistics Data on the growth of population — we have added 3 million more to this number,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said In a live-streamed episode of “Alerto: a COVID-19 special,” which was hosted by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
DSWD’s “Listahanan” or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction identifies the beneficiaries for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s).
The “Listahanan” database of poor households is being updated every four years, the recent reevaluation started in 2019.
Who identifies the recipients?
Even with the DSWD as the lead agency for the implementation of the emergency subsidy, other agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) play a vital role in identifying recipients of the aid.
“In identifying the target beneficiaries, our local government units, particularly the barangay leaders [captains] [will do it]. Sila ang mas nakakakilala sa nasasakupan nila at alam nila kung sino yung lubos na nangangailangan ng tulong (They are familiar with their constituents so they know who needs the aid),” Dumlao said.
What if there are two or more in the family who qualifies as “target beneficiary”?
In the interview, Dumlao clarified that no matter the number of “vulnerable individuals” in a family, there will only be one Social Amelioration Card (SAC) for them.
“Our unit of assistance is per family. That’s why the emergency subsidy is given to what we call the ‘poorest of the poor’,” she said.
Local government units (LGUs), through the barangays, will do house-to-house distribution of the SACs to be filled out by the household head.
Is there a limit per barangay?
Even with the “indicative number” of target beneficiaries estimated per LGU, Dumlao said the barangay officials can submit a list that exceeds the data given.
“The LGUs may submit the list of beneficiaries, beyond the target, to the DSWD for validation and study. If the beneficiaries are indeed eligible, We will present and discuss this with our economic managers for planning purposes,” she said to the media on Wednesday.
Can others apply for the program?
If some families would not qualify as per the assessment in the barangay level, they can reach out to their LGU (municipality) and they, in turn, will forward the list to the DSWD Field Office.
Dumlao added that the list of beneficiaries is a “working data”.
Thus, she said they will entertain additions but subject to verification.
Current distribution data
As of April 8, Wednesday, Dumlao said the department has already provided PHP16.3 billion emergency subsidy to more than 3.7 million cash cardholders of 4P’s.
“Those were automatically wired through their cash cards and they can withdraw it through Landbank ATMs,” she added.
Meanwhile, some PHP600 million subsidy already reached families of drivers who were affected by the suspension of mass transport.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board helped in identifying the recipients.
The declaration of community quarantine and the corresponding imposition of social distancing measures affected the community’s mobility as it bore to various mandates: alternative working arrangements of government and private offices, suspension of public mass transportation, the imposition of curfew hours, and the imposition of heightened community quarantine by some LGUs.
The Bayanihan to Heal as One empowers the national government to provide an emergency subsidy, including the Social Amelioration Package.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said this is the first time the government released such a huge amount of money to address the public concern amid the health crisis. (PNA)
Consul General Li Lin of the Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Davao.
Consul General Li Lin of the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Davao. (Edge Davao file photo)
The remaining medical aid from China is expected to arrive in Davao City on the third week or fourth week of this month according to Consul General Li Lin of the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Davao.
“It will be shipped maybe two to three weeks,” Lin said. The shipment will be the remaining medical supplies that were not transported because the two cargo planes that were supposed to carry the personal protective equipment (PPEs) and medical equipment donated by the Davao Fil-Chinese Multi-Sectoral Association and from Davao City’s sister city Jinjiang City, China were already fully loaded. Over 1,600 boxes of PPE supplies were transported to Davao City last April 3 and 5 to help support Mindanao in its fight against the Covid-19 disease. The first batch of medical supplies consisted of 1,000,000 facemasks from Jinjiang Panpan Food Company; 100,000 facemasks; 500 units of infrared thermometer; 3,000 pieces of PPEs from Davao City’s sister-city Jinjiang; 500 pieces of protective goggles; five units of sputum suction apparatus; and 6,000 pairs of surgical gloves from the Davao Fil-Chinese Multi-Sectoral Association. The second batch of donations were from Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and the Filipino-Chinese Community in Mindanao, mostly in Davao City, Zamboanga City, and Cagayan de Oro City. The donations include 20 units of respiratory machines; 1,200 pieces infrared thermometers; 10,020 pieces of protective septic suits; 2,000 pieces face shields; 600 pieces protective goggles; 9,660 N95 masks; and 37,500 pairs of gloves. The donations were received by the City Government of Davao and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). The Filipino-Chinese Community in Zamboanga City also procured 50,000 pieces of face mask; 300 pieces of protective googles; 2,500 pairs of surgical gloves; 500 pairs of shoe cover; 1,000 pieces of protective septic suits, and 80 pieces of infrared thermometer to be delivered to Zamboanga City. The Filipino-Chinese Community in Cagayan de Oro also purchased 3,750 pieces of protective suits to be donated to Cagayan de Oro City. Dr. Lepoldo Vega, SPMC chief of hospital said they already received PPEs and boxes of medical supplies donated by Jinjiang, China. “We are very thankful for their generosity,” Vega said.
President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with his son, mayoral aspirant Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, during the Hugpong ng Pagbabago - Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HNP-HTL) Miting De Avance at San Pedro-Bolton Streets in Davao City on May 6, 2022. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Vice President Sara Duterte stirred social media with her explosive announcement on Tuesday that three Dutertes are raring to run for senate seats in the 2025 mid-term elections.
VP Sara was referring to his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte and siblings, Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte
The vice president also said that her to mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, wants Mayor Baste to run for President in the 2028 Presidential elections.
“Ang ingon sa akoang mama, mudagan ug senador ang akoang manghod, si Baste Duterte ug siya ang mudagan sa 2028 ug president. Ang ingon sa akoang mama mubalik daw ko sa davao inig human mayor. Lahat sila raring na tumakbo, si PRRD senator, yung kuya ko si Paolo ang ingon senator at si Sebastian. Yes, tatlo ang Duterte for next year. For president, ang ingon sa akong mama akong manghod (Baste) kuno ang mudagan ug president,” she told the media on the sidelines of the Pride Month event in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday.
The vice president also clarified that there are no talks that she will resign as vice president.
It can be recalled that the vice president resigned last week as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and co-chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac).
Assistant City Administrator Lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo, representing the city government of Davao; Princess Galura, president and general manager of Sunrise Events, Inc.; Jokin Aboitiz, deputy chief operating officer of AboitizPower Distribution Utilities; Dudes Aboitiz, president of Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., Rodger Velasco, president and chief operating officer of Davao Light and Power Company; Dan Carlo Torres, Brand Management head of RLC Residences; Francis John Chua, senior assistant vice president of 2Go's Marketing Group and Corporate Communications; and Faye Alonzo, Forwarding Business Unit head of 2Go do a unity gesture during a presser for the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Weekend Davao held at Arcadia Lifestyle and Event Center in Davao City on Tuesday. The Ironman 70.3 Weekend is slated on August 9 to 11, 2024. LEAN DAVAL JR
Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan, chair of the Committee on Games and Amusement of the City Council, bares during this week's Aprubado sa Konseho that Davao City is experiencing strong revenue collection from cockfighting activities in the city. LEAN DAVAL JR
Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan, chair of the Committee on Games and Amusement of the City Council, announced on Tuesday that the city is experiencing strong revenue collection from “sabong” or cockfighting activities in Davao City.
Bonguyan said that based on the report of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) the city has been able to collect P42 million a year from sabong since 2022, which is higher than the P12 million a year revenue collected pre-pandemic. This revenue comes from “sabong” activities in the city alone.
This also showed after the amendments to the 2021 Revenue Code.
“I am happy to announce na informed kita sa City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) that before pandemic sa atong sabong naa tay-revenue na P12 million a year but this time after our ordinance na amend ang revenue code, nausab ang atoang mga taxes on that, niabot na ug P42 million a year ang na-contribute sa sabong operators,” Bonguyan said during the Aprubado sa Konseho media forum.
Bonguyan said this is a big help in the revenue of Davao City.
She added that the city is expecting that the revenue from cockfighting will increase this year due to scheduled stag derbies next month and in August.
“Happy na ang CTO but I believe na mas mudako pa ni karon kay last time nag-adjust pa sila sila sa bag-ong system. This time murag gina-expect nato nga mas mutaas pa ang atong revenue from sabong labi na karon nga naa ta’y stag season in July and August. Mao na ang expected nga daghan schedules for derby in Davao City wherein dako nga tax ang makuha sa Davao City,” Bonguyan said.
Presently, there are four active cockpit arenas nga ga-apply ug special permit for derby in Davao City namely New Matina Gallera, Aquino Colesium, RB Force Complex Cockpit Arena in Cabaguio, and Calinan Cockpit Arena.
Laborers unload bags of imported rice at a retailer's store along Monteverde St, Davao City on Friday, January 5, 2024. The Department of Agriculture has recently announced that about 500,000 metric tons of rice are expected to arrive until February as the government is prepareing for the adverse effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon. MindaNews photo
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Monday assured that the government has flexibility to review and tweak rice tariff depending on changes in the economic environment.
“It’s already in the EO signed by the President, ‘di ba, that there is a periodic review. Anytime naman if there are circumstances, there are special changes in the economic environment, dapat ‘yung mgapolicies natin may flexibility (It’s already in the EO signed by the President that there is a periodic review. Anytime there are circumstances, there are special changes in the economic environment, our policies should have flexibility),” Balisacan told reporters at the sidelines of the World Bank’s Philippine Human Capital Review report launch at the Ascott Hotel in Bonifacio Global City.
Balisacan was pertaining to Executive Order No. 62 recently issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
EO 62 ordered the modification of tariff rates on various products to ensure continuous supply of goods and to protect the purchasing power of the Filipino people.
Under the EO, the rice tariff was reduced from 35 percent to 15 percent until 2028.
The lower rice tariff are expected to reduce rice prices by PHP6 to PHP7 in the coming months.
Officials of the Department of Agriculture, however, earlier called for a quarterly review of the rice tariff.
Balisacan said tariffs need to be reviewed especially if there are drastic changes in the economic environment.
“If they are no longer, as I said, if the situations have changed, economic situations, they should be reviewed,” he said.
“As I said, if [the] situation changes, we must have, the government must have that flexibility to re-examine its tools. If the tools have become already quite dull for a particular event, then you have to, be able to, to change those tools,” he said.
“That’s what a dynamic economy is all about. If you cannot adjust, if you cannot navigate major changes around us, because you are so constrained from all your policy tools, then you will not be able to survive a major shock.”
Balisacan said the country also has a system, under the comprehensive tariff reform program, which calls for a review of the tariff structure every five years.
“Our tariff structure should be consistent with the rest of ASEAN. Kasi member [tayo] of the economic community (We are a member of the economic community),” he said. (PNA)
Councilor Dante Apostol, chair of the Committee on Franchising and Public Utilities of the City Council, says during this week's Aprubado sa Konseho that Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs) in Davao City will be affected by the implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS). LEAN DAVAL JR
Councilor Dante L. Apostol, chair of the Committee on Franchising and Public Utilities of the City Council, admitted on Tuesday that Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs) in Davao City will be directly affected by the implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).
His committee is designated as a member of the Davao City Motorized Tricycle for Hire Franchising and Regulatory Board.
This is one of the workings of the committee and we are tasked to attend MTH meetings regarding the opening of MTH road, extension of existing roads, and subsequently, the approval of motorized tricycle operators permit.
Apostol said there are currently four pending TODA applications for routes and extension of routes. However, he said, the approval is only temporary because of the pending implementation of the HPBS.
“Temporary lang ang approval tungod kay pending sa implementation sa atoang bus system. Pag maapektuhan ang ruta sa maong mga motorized tricycle routes posible ning maundang. Posibleng dunay changes or amendments sa maong routes. Kanang mga ruta maagian sa HPBS,” he said during the Aprubado sa Konseho media forum.
HPBS is one of the flagship projects of the Build, Build, Build program, which is being implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the city government of Davao.
The Davao HPBS is a proposed bus-based public transport system for the city, consisting of a core bus network of over 100 kilometers, and a feeder network of over 500 kilometers.
HPBS would replace the existing jeepney network with a four-tier (MetroDavao, DavaoInter, DavaoFeeder, and DavaoLocal), 29-route network operating with larger buses (including 18m articulated and 12m bus units), which significantly reduce the number of public transport vehicles on the roadways (reducing PUVs). Small 10m buses will also be introduced.
HPBS also includes the development of public transport terminals, depots, and a driving school as key supporting facilities of the modern service; 1,119 bus stops; and more than 1,000 new bus fleets.
His name means bright or sky. His name in Greek methodology means the strongest of the gods in the Ancient Greek religion because he has both power and intelligence. His name is synonymous with golf in Davao City which he calls home.
And now, his name is engraved as the champion in the recent Philippines Amateur Open Championship held at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club north course.
His name is Zeus Sara.
Zeus star has been shining brightly in the Philippine Amateur golf arena in recent months. He was a member of the Philippine team that finished second behind champion China in the Selangor International Junior Golf Championship at Kebab Golf Seri Selangor, Malaysia. He is a member of the RP team for the Nomura Cup ,also known as the Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship, a biennial amateur team golf championship for men to be held later this year in Vietnam.
He’s due to leave first week of July to compete at the IMG Junior World in San Diego, California, USA after finishing second in the IMG Junior qualifying in Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac in April of this year.
Zeus has expanded his horizon.
After winning practically all the individual honors in amateur golf in his hometown Davao City, Zeus moved a notch higher by competing in a new playing field, to a much competitive Luzon and Metro Manila. And compete he did. He made his mark in Junior golf and now has set his goal in a higher level.
The Philippine Open Amateur golf championship.
His journey at the Philippine Open Amateur Golf tournament started by competing in the 36 holes’ stroke play elimination round. His two days’ adventure however has its share of ups and downs. Maybe a part of rookie jitters and nerves.
Zeus Day 1 is promising. Surprisingly he was among the leader after Day 1 in stroke play. He trailed the leader by a stroke but hit his foot on the second day and stumbled to finish at 12th position among the 16 final qualifiers.
He regained his composure at the start of Day 1 Match play version by beating 5th ranked Bobe Salahug 4 &3. His joy and happiness however is short lived upon learning that his next opponent at the quarter finals opponent would be his play mate and buddy from Davao, Edison Tabalin. The two Davao protagonist however fought tooth and nail with the younger Zeus prevailing in the end over his much seasoned golfing buddy in the same dominating 4 & 3 score.
Come the semis where Zeus Sara is pitted against top ranked Jolo Magcalayo.
“My strategy is just to hit the fairways so that I can have a good chance of hitting green. Hitting it close to the pin is the plan but we will focus on making pars” said Zeus prior to the match.
Buoyed up by his new found confidence and nerve of steel Zeus fought with conviction amidst the encouragement of his mom Jing Torres and Davao supporters among the gallery that ultimately tamed Magcalayo 2&1. The closest so far in his conquest.
The finals is set. Coined as the battle of ages. Pitting the youth against the most senior among the competitors. The 18 year old Zeus who recently graduated from Grade 12 in Mapua Malayan College in Davao City is among the top guns in Junior golf in the country while the 41-year-old businessman Gary Sales is a seasoned veteran in amateur golf scene aspiring to have the coveted crown to be added among his collection in his closet.
But the expected grand finale, a battle royale did not materialize in the finals. Devoid of drama and thrill the young Zeus dominated the grueling 36 holes finals with an imposing 5&4 victory. The highly anticipated battle royale has turned into a formality in the coronation of the new king of Philippine Amateur golf.
“It definitely wasn’t easy, but I got the job done! I’m so honored to call myself a Philippine Amateur Match Play Champion and to have my name on the iconic perpetual trophy. Feels good to finally win again” said Sara humbly after receiving his trophy.
What’s next for Zeus?
“He’ll rest for a while Sir” said his mom Jhing Torres. He’ll be preparing for the San Diego Tournament early July. After that, there’s the Nomura Cup in Vietnam kaya ma busy talaga sya. Let’s support him meanwhile thru prayers” Torres concluded.
The challenges await in the horizon of the golfing world. Keep on reaching for the stars, keep on scaling the heights to be conquered.
A resident of Mati City showcases his skimboarding skills at a beachfront in Dahican. The Department of Tourism 11 (DOT 11) said as the tourism sector is on the verge of recovery, the agency is seeing the the surge of tourists coming to Davao Oriental. Edge Davao
Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI has forecast that tourist arrivals in the Philippines next year may exceed the 8.2 million visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a commentary released Monday, BMI projected a 32.6-percent increase in tourist arrivals this year to reach 6.6 million from 5 million arrivals in 2023.
“The 2024 arrivals will be at 81 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019 (8.2 million arrivals),” it said.
It added that with the 1.6 million visitors in the first quarter of the year, this indicates that post-pandemic recovery is underway.
“We forecast the Philippines’ arrivals to continue to increase over the remainder of our medium-term forecast period, fully recovering in 2025 as they reach 8.3 million, rising above the pre-pandemic level in 2019,” BMI said.
By 2028, the Philippines is expected to attract 9.4 million tourists, or growing by 14 percent annually from 2024 to 2028.
“We expect arrivals growth to be driven by key source markets in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe,” BMI said.
In the first quarter of 2024, top sources of foreign visitors are South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia.
“While we have a positive outlook for Philippines’ arrivals, there are short-term risks stemming from high living costs in many markets globally, and tighter credit conditions which will weigh on consumer spending, particularly on nonessential categories such as travel,” it added. (PNA)
A dredging barge is moored near a beachfront where the landing site of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) is located. LEAN DAVAL JR
A store worker prepares commercial rice for a customer at a community market in Davao City on Monday. The country is expected to remain the world’s biggest importer of rice next year, according to the data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). LEAN DAVAL JR
The Department of Agriculture said on Saturday that the executive order modifying the import duty rates of various commodities would reduce imported rice prices by P6 to P7.
“Ini-expect natin, ayon na rin sa unang pagtaya ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), na bababa ang halaga ng imported na bigas from six to seven pesos because of this tariff reduction,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said.
(We expect, based on the initial forecast of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), that the price of imported rice would decrease from P6 to P7 because of this tariff reduction.)
De Mesa said that under EO 62, the tariff reduction for rice would be implemented earlier on July 6, 2024, or 15 days after its publication, while tariff reduction for commodities will take effect 30 days after its publication.
“So kung July 6 siya magiging effective, we can expect within August na magkakaroon na ng mga darating na bigas kung i-a-apply agad ‘yung bagong tariff scheme sa bigas,” De Mesa said.
So, if it becomes effective on July 6, we can expect arrivals within August if such a new tariff scheme for rice is applied immediately.)
Under Executive Order No. 62, several commodities such as animal products, plants, pharmaceutical needs, chemicals, etc. would be subject to the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates of duty, or what other countries vowed to impose on imports from other World Trade Organization members.
“There is a need for a new multi-year and comprehensive tariff schedule that will provide a transparent and predictable tariff structure, and allow businesses to engage in medium- to long-term planning to improve productivity and competitiveness, facilitate trade, and enhance consumer welfare,” the EO read.
“The implementation of an updated comprehensive tariff schedule aims to augment supply, manage prices, and temper inflationary pressure of various commodities, consistent with the Philippine national interest and the objective of safeguarding the purchasing power of Filipinos,” it added.
