Local governments urged to give village frontliners hazard pay

June 16, 2021 | 8:50 pm

lockdown-philstar — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

A LAWMAKER on Tuesday filed a resolution urging local governments to provide special compensation to village workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.

In House Resolution No. 1834, Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter D. Crisologo said barangay officials and other village workers should receive hazard pay because they have a “crucial role” in the government’s pandemic response.

“Barangays and their workers who serve for the general welfare of their community members are vital in ensuring that all groups, sectors and communities are protected from the pandemic and are reached by the government,” he said.

Mr. Crisologo noted that barangay workers are “not covered by the rules of the Civil Service Commission and are not entitled to the same benefits of regular government employees.”

Citing the Budget department’s Circular No. 2020-1 or the guidelines on the grant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Hazard Pay, the House legislator said all village officials and workers who are identified as “frontliners” should be compensated for risking their safety and personal health in the name of service amid the pandemic.

Mr. Crisologo said there are 42,046 barangays nationwide based on government data. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Fish hatcheries needed in every province to boost supply — BFAR

June 16, 2021 | 8:48 pm

EVERY PROVINCE in the country should have at least one fish hatchery to improve the country’s fish fry supply and boost the local aquaculture sector, the top official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

BFAR National Director Eduardo B. Gongona said on Wednesday that investment is needed to set up infrastructure for fry production.

“We need the infrastructure, especially the hatchery. We also need to establish satellite hatcheries, ponds, and other infrastructure dedicated to fisheries production,” he said during the joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform and Finance.

Mr. Gongona said one multi-species fish hatchery requires P30 million.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, however, questioned the suggestion, noting that not all provinces are in coastal areas.

Ms. Villar said the BFAR should prioritize areas that have potential in the fisheries industry.

“Not all areas have fishing as their primary industry like Isabela and Nueva Ecija – those are known for their rice industries. BFAR should prioritize areas that have fishing as the main livelihood,” she said.

BFAR Aquaculture Division OIC Chief Elymi Ar-J S. Tunacao said there are five fish hatcheries that are under construction in the provinces of Surigao del Sur and del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Lanao del Norte, and Quezon.

Ms. Tunacao said other planned fish hatcheries have problems in terms of site development such as uneven land and road right-of-way.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gongona committed to finish the five fish hatcheries being constructed and 25 others that have already been approved.

He said the country is currently able to produce 1.5 billion fry a year.

“In three to five years, we will improve in terms of hatcheries. We just need the infrastructure,” Mr. Gongona said.

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority data, local fisheries production fell 0.8% year on year to 978,618 metric tons (MT) in the first quarter of 2021.

Aquaculture production accounted for 53.7% or 525,321 MT of total production, followed by municipal fisheries at 26.3% or 257,622 MT, and commercial fisheries at 20% or 195,673 MT. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Bill filed for proper road signages to minimize accidents

June 16, 2021 | 8:47 pm

A SENATOR on Wednesday filed a measure requiring the government to put up road and public safety signages that follow international standards to lessen accidents.

Senate Bill No. 2293 or the Public Safety Signages Accountability Act, filed by Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares, will mandate the government to provide citizens timely and correct information on traffic instructions, road hazards and other warning signages.

“Articles and images of faulty or questionable signages have been reported throughout the years and such still remain as evident threats to both motorists and pedestrians,” said Ms. Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services.

She said while there are other factors that contribute to accidents, having visible road signs and ideal distances would protect and save lives.

In the capital region alone, road crashes in 2019 reached 121,771, of which 372 were fatal, Ms. Poe said citing data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). In 2020, 65,032 road crashes resulting in 337 deaths were registered despite mobility restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the bill, the Department of Public Works and Highways will be in charge of public safety signs in national roads while the MMDA will oversee national roads in Metro Manila. Local government units will monitor local roads.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau will be tasked to update the geohazard map and identify areas that are susceptible to natural calamities for the installation of appropriate warning signs.

Under the proposed law, government officials may be held liable for deaths or injuries resulting from the lack or absence of proper signages. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

3 arrested at illegal investment operator’s Panabo office

June 16, 2021 | 8:46 pm

PANABO City authorities arrested three people working at a local branch of Mer’s Business Center, which has been tagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an illegal investment operator.

The city government said representatives of its Business Permits and Licensing Section and the police nabbed on June 14 the company’s branch manager and two other workers, who are all from General Santos City.

Panabo police chief Verna L. Cabuhat said the operation against Mer’s Business Center was prompted by a complaint and she called on other “victims” of the illegal scheme, which promises a 3% monthly interest on investment, to come forward for the filing of charges against the company.

The SEC Davao office, meanwhile, lauded the local government’s action saying it was a “big boost” to the agency’s campaign against illegal investment schemes.

The SEC issued an advisory against Mer’s Business Center last May 6 for solicitations without the appropriate license.

“The Panabo City (local government) and its police are worth emulating for their conscious efforts in running after those who continue to solicit investments without the necessary license,” SEC-Davao said in a statement on Wednesday.

Fishers’ group frowns at coconut palms planted along Manila Baywalk

June 16, 2021 | 8:46 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the planting of coconut trees along Roxas Boulevard on Wednesday as part of the Manila Bay beautification project, an initiative that was frowned upon by a fishers’ group.

Fisherfolk organization Pamalakaya, in an emailed statement, described the activity as “absurd, trying hard, a waste of public resources, and simply for aesthetics with a meager to no contribution to (the) rehabilitation of Manila Bay.”

Pamalakaya National Chairperson Fernando L. Hicap said, “Just because it’s natural (for coconut palm trees to grow on coastlines) doesn’t mean it is necessary… to restore the bay’s ecosystem. Planting of coconut palm trees along the shores reflects the government’s thrust on Manila Bay rehabilitation which is solely based on external beautification, rather than restoration of its marine and fishery resources.”

The group said the DENR should instead focus on planting mangrove and seagrass, which serve as fish sanctuaries, pollution filters, and can protect communities against flooding.

“Mangrove reforestation and seagrasses restoration are more relevant to the Manila Bay rehabilitation than the costly yet futile beach nourishment project,” Mr. Hicap said.

According to a PTV4 report, the DENR’s artificial white sand beach project along the bay is 80% complete.

The coconut planting project was supported by the Manila City government, Philippine Coconut Authority, and the Metro Manila Development Authority. — Angelica Y. Yang

QC gives Zuellig ultimatum to fix vaccination scheduling system

June 16, 2021 | 8:40 pm

Joy-Belmonte-081419 — QUEZON CITY Mayor Maria Josefina G. Belmonte — *PHILSTAR*

THE QUEZON City government said on Wednesday it is “seriously considering” the termination of its contract with Zuellig Pharma Corporation after glitches in its online system for vaccination scheduling.

“We have issued an ultimatum to Zuellig so they can improve their system quickly and provide all the deliverables. If not, we have no other choice but to find another company that can do the job quickly and efficiently,” Mayor Maria Josefina G. Belmonte said in a statement.

She said they tapped the company’s eZConsult service to supposedly speed up and ease the process for residents in getting a vaccination schedule, complementing efforts to organize the actual vaccination procedures.

“They committed a seamless service but they failed repeatedly,” the mayor said given the series of total or partial technical difficulties in the system.

Ms. Belmonte said the company has until June 18 to deliver its obligations or face contract termination and possible legal action for damages.

Bangsamoro chief minister vows transmittal ‘soon’ of electoral code

June 16, 2021 | 8:38 pm

THE HEAD of the Bangsamoro region in southern Philippines promised the immediate transmission of the draft electoral code, a key legislation amid uncertainty over the scheduled election next year for the autonomous territory’s parliament members.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim told members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, who currently make up the parliament, that the electoral code being drafted by the Cabinet will be transmitted “as soon as possible.”

“The electoral code which is probably one of the most sensitive legislation that this Parliament will enact must be carefully crafted to ensure that we put premium to the betterment of the electorate. We must ensure that it will pave the way for a genuine political exercise that shall serve the core of the regular Bangsamoro Government,” Mr. Ebrahim said during the opening of parliament’s third regular session on June 15.

At the same time, the BARMM leader expressed confidence that the proposal to postpone the election and extend the transition authority’s mandate by another three years will be granted by the Philippine Congress.

“Before I end this speech,” he said, “I would like to share with you that although there are bureaucratic challenges along the way — the call for the extension of the transition period has never been more resounding than now.”

“The President and the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives are giving us the nod that it will happen,” Mr. Ebrahim said.

He also reiterated that the call to extend the transition period “is never about power.”

“It is about ensuring the successful implementation of the Bangsamoro Peace Process.”

Apart from the electoral code, the local government and revenue codes are among the six priority regulations that must be passed by the interim government as provided under the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The three others — administrative, civil service, and education — have already been approved.

Del Pan Bridge area of Pasig River found to have high fecal coliform level

June 16, 2021 | 8:37 pm

A PORTION of the Pasig River under the Del Pan Bridge in Manila has been found to have extra high amounts of fecal coliform, based on a water quality test conducted by the monitoring team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine Coast Guard.

Documents from the DENR showed that the fecal coliform count in the river hit 17 million most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 mL). The DENR standard for Class C waters or those used for boating or fishing stands at only 200 MPN/100 mL.

The DENR explained that water bodies with high levels of fecal coliform or waste found in humans and animals implies improper sanitary waste disposal. It added that this indicates contamination of human or animal waste from various residential and commercial areas.

The DENR-Coast Guard joint team conducted the monitoring test to look for possible sources of water pollution.

Among the possible polluters include domestic waste from informal settlers and traditional sailing boats called batil. — Angelica Y. Yang

PHL Azkals settle for 1-1 draw with Maldives

June 16, 2021 | 6:27 pm

THE Philippine national men’s football team settled for a 1-1 draw with Maldives as it finished its campaign in the second round of the joint 2022 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup and 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Qualifiers early on Wednesday morning (Manila time) in the United Arab Emirates.

Veteran Angel Guirado put the Azkals ahead 19 minutes into the match at the Sharjah Stadium but they could not maintain the lead as six minutes later Maldives pulled even, care of Ali Fasir.

The two teams tried to score the marginal goal to claim all three points the rest of the way but were not successful in it, leaving them to share the spoils and get a point each for their efforts.

After their second-round qualifiers campaign, the Azkals ended up with 11 points from a record of 3-2-3, good for solo third place in Group A.

It was not enough to book the Philippines a spot in the next round of the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the Azkals earned a trip to the next phase of that of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup to be played later this year.

Maldives (2-1-5), for its part, finished at fourth place in the group with seven points.

Syria (7-0-1) and China (6-1-1) topped Group A and are heading to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers and booked their spots in the Asian Cup. Syria progressed for winning Group A and China as one of the best runners-up.

Guam, the other team in the grouping, wound up with no wins to show for in eight matches.

PROGRESSING
Meanwhile, apart from Syria and China in Group A, also progressing in the next round of the World Cup qualifiers are Australia (Group B), Iran (Group C), Saudi Arabia (Group D), Japan (Group E) and UAE (Group F), which finished number one in their respective groups.

Korea Republic, Oman, Iraq, Vietnam and Lebanon, progressed as among the best runner-up teams.

Among the teams which have advanced, Vietnam is the lone first-timer in the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Kevin Durant’s 49-point explosion leads Brooklyn to 3-2 series edge

June 16, 2021 | 6:27 pm

KEVIN Durant totaled 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists as the Brooklyn Nets stormed back and beat the Milwaukee Bucks (114-108) on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in New York.

The Nets, who overcame a 17-point, third-quarter deficit, lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 thanks to one of Durant’s most impressive postseason performances. They would advance to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2003 if they can win on Thursday night in Milwaukee. Game 7, if necessary, would be played in Brooklyn on Saturday.

Durant set a franchise record for points in a playoff game, breaking the mark of 43 set by Vince Carter in 2006. He also posted his second career postseason triple-double and joined Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Charles Barkley and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić as the fourth player with at least 40 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a postseason game.

Durant shot 16 of 23 from the field, made four of nine 3-point attempts and hit 13 of 16 free throws. He finished one point shy of his postseason career high, set with the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the 2019 Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Clippers.

On Tuesday, Durant scored 31 points in the final 18:38, when the Nets outscored Milwaukee 54-32. He scored 11 in the third to get Brooklyn within 87-81 entering the fourth and then gave the Nets a 97-96 lead on a 3-pointer with 7:54 remaining.

The Bucks tied the game at 104 on a short jumper by Jrue Holiday with 2:24 remaining, but the Nets took the lead for good on two free throws by James Harden with 87 seconds to go. Durant finished off his big game with a 3-pointer and three free throws in the final 50.5 seconds.

Brooklyn’s Jeff Green added a playoff-career-high 27 points by shooting eight of 11 and hitting seven of eight 3-point tries. Blake Griffin chipped in 17 points for the Nets, who shot 49.4 percent from the floor.

Harden went from doubtful to active but wound up with just five points on one-of-10 shooting. He missed the previous three games due to right hamstring tightness.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 34 points and 12 rebounds. Khris Middleton added 25 and Holiday chipped in 19 for the Bucks, who also shot 49.4 percent on field-goal attempts.

Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Middleton combined for 22 points as the Bucks smothered the Nets into missing 16 of 20 shots, guiding Milwaukee to a 29-15 lead after the opening quarter. The visitors held a 59-43 edge at half time. — Reuters

Antetokounmpo, Jokić, Curry, Dončić and Leonard named first-team All-NBA

June 16, 2021 | 6:26 pm

LEAGUE MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets and unanimous selection Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks made the All-NBA first team, announced on Tuesday.

They were joined on the first team by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Dončić and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.

Despite being a finalist for the MVP award, Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid was only a second-team All-NBA selection due to position limitations — each team only featured one center, and Jokić beat out Embiid in votes.

Embiid was joined on the second team by Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and New York Knicks forward Julius Randle.

The five to make the third team were guards Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn) and Bradley Beal (Washington), forwards Jimmy Butler (Miami) and Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers) and center Rudy Gobert (Utah).

It marked the first career All-NBA selections for Randle and Beal. James notched his 17^th All-NBA selection and Paul earned his 10^th.

The next two guards receiving votes were the Wizards’ Russell Westbrook and the Nets’ James Harden, falling just behind their respective teammates, Beal and Irving. Forwards who narrowly missed the cut included the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson and the Nets’ Kevin Durant.

Harden and Tatum each earned two first-team votes despite not accumulating enough total votes for inclusion on any of the three teams.

Jokić earned 99 first-team votes and one second-team vote to fall just shy of joining Antetokounmpo as a unanimous pick. Curry earned 98 first-team votes and two second-team votes, earning his seventh career All-NBA selection.

Jokić became the first second-round draft pick in league history to be named MVP. Jokić started all 72 games for the Nuggets and averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game — all setting or matching career highs.

The Serbian shot 56.6 percent from the floor, including 38.8 percent from 3-point range, and added 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks per contest.

Antetokounmpo, the league MVP in 2019 and 2020, averaged 28.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest over 61 games for Milwaukee.

Curry won the NBA scoring title by leading the league with 32.0 points per game a year after suffering a broken left hand. — Reuters

NBA releases list of 69 players attending the draft combine

June 16, 2021 | 6:26 pm

SOUTHERN California forward Evan Mobley and National Basketball Association (NBA) G League prospects Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga are among the 69 players the league expects to attend the NBA draft combine in Chicago from June 21-27.

Last year’s combine was reformatted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospects had interviews via videoconference and took part in individual drills in NBA facilities around the country.

But this year’s event is back to a central location, Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. Teams will be able to conduct interviews with prospects. Five-on-five games among prospects are set to make a return alongside shooting, strength and agility drills, all during the heart of the combine from June 22-25.

Some players attending the NBA G League Elite Camp in Chicago from June 19-21 will be selected to join the combine as well.

Two top prospects, Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham and Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs, will not attend the combine. Other stars from the 2020-21 college basketball season on the list expected to attend include Davion Mitchell (Baylor), James Bouknight (UConn), Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois), Corey Kispert (Gonzaga), Johnny Juzang (UCLA) and Max Abmas (Oral Roberts). — Reuters