Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 9869

Team LeBron beats Team Giannis 157-155

CHICAGO — Team LeBron beat Team Giannis by two points at the 69th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday at a packed United Center that fell silent for eight seconds before tip-off as about 21,000 fans joined hands to pay their respects to global sports icon Kobe Bryant.

The silence was broken by a string of thunderous “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe,” chants that rocked the stadium as the crowd honored Bryant, who wore the No. 8 and No. 24 during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers that was highlighted by five National Basketball Association championships.

The stirring pre-game tribute began with Laker great Magic Johnson rousing the crowd and paying homage to Bryant, killed along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven victims in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26.

“We will never see another basketball player quite like Kobe,” Johnson said, highlighting his work with the Los Angeles community along with the love he had for his family. “This is a tough time for the whole NBA family.”

Johnson also paid tribute to former NBA Commissioner David Stern, who oversaw explosive growth in the popularity of the game during his 30-year tenure. Stern died on Jan. 1.

Before tip-off, the singer and actor Jennifer Hudson, who is a Chicago native, sang with a montage of photos of Bryant and his daughter in the background.

The game was a culmination of a weekend filled with tributes to the former Los Angeles Lakers star who was an 18-time All-Star and won the All-Star game’s MVP award four times.

On Friday, Bryant, who is fourth all-time in league scoring, was named a finalist to the Basketball Hall of Fame. On Saturday, the league’s commissioner, Adam Silver, announced that the league’s All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award has been permanently named for Bryant.

Bryant made his NBA All-Star Game debut in 1998 at age 19 — the youngest player to ever play in an All-Star Game. His 18 All-Star selections are the second-most in NBA history, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, at 19.

Players in Sunday’s All-Star game wore No. 2 and No. 24 on their jerseys to honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant, while the game’s format paid homage to Bryant.

The team with the most points after three quarters needed to score 24 points to win, while the trailing team had to score 24 plus the number of points it was down.

Team Giannis held a nine-point lead over Team LeBron after three quarters, but the LeBron James-led side had the last laugh, outscoring Team Giannis 33-22 in the final period to clinch a 157-155 victory.

Team Giannis was headed by Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Team LeBron’s Kawhi Leonard was named All-Star MVP after scoring 30 points, including eight three-pointers. — Reuters

Team Manila Southwoods itching for PAL Interclub redemption in Bacolod

MANILA Southwoods will go to Bacolod in two weeks thinking of one thing: Starting from scratch.

Denied a fifth straight Philippine Airlines Interclub Men’s championship last year in Cebu, the Carmona-based squad will be fielding another roster that is armed to the teeth as it tries to start off another streak and get one of the strongest programs in the country back on track.

“For us, it’s like we’re starting over again,” non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano said over the phone. “Our players know what it is we missed last year. All credit to Cebu (Country Club), don’t get me wrong, but we are going all out to get the first of another streak.”

Cebu CC, feeling right at home, pulled off the unimaginable at the PAL Interclub last year, coming from the lower-ranked Founders Division to dethrone Southwoods with fine play and scoring all week.

And Escano believes, unlike last year, that no team will have an advantage in the 72-hole unofficial team championship of the country that gets off the ground on March 4 at the Binitin and Marapara layouts.

Yuto Katsuragawa, the Japanese hotshot, returns for another tour of duty, and Escano tweaked his lineup a bit by recalling a veteran who was part of Southwoods’ early successes in Vince Lauron, the former pro who will be the team’s second anchor together with Jun Jun Plana.

“Veteran presence was what we lacked last year,” Escano said. “Bringing back Vince addresses that while also providing a lot of firepower for the team.”

Former Junior World champion Kristoffer Arevalo, Jeff Jun, Sean Ramos, Josh Jorge, Masaichi Otake, Santino Laurel and Aguri Iwasaki, who is priming up for the final stage of qualifying for the Asian Tour, are the other members of the loaded Southwoods squad.

National flag carrier Philippine Airlines is the host of this prestigious international sporting event. The platinum sponsors are Asian Air Safari, Vanguard Radio Network, Fox Networks Group, and Radio Mindanao Network, Inc.

Major sponsors include The Boeing Company, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, Avolon Aerospace Singapore Pte Ltd, Rolls-Royce, Manila Broadcasting Co., Primax Broadcasting, Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte Ltd, and CIGNAL TV Inc.

Other supporters are Uniglobe Travelware Co., Inc. (The Travel Club), Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. (Manila Standard), Officine Corporation, GE Aviation, SEDA Hotels, BDO Unibank, Smart Communications, Inc., People Asia Magazine, A+E Networks Asia (History), and Allianz PNB Life.

TIEZA set to launch night golf at Club Intramuros Golf Course on Feb. 26

THE Department of Tourism thru its Infrastructure Arm — the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will be launching night golf operations at the Club Intramuros Golf Club (CIGC) on Feb. 26.

The CIGC has undergone renovation since 2018 through the initiative of TIEZA, wherein the agency has invested almost P100 million for the night golf, rehabilitation of the golf course, as well as improvements of the interiors.

The TIEZA will continue on the next phase of the rehabilitation of the CIGC, which will cover the enhancement of its Clubhouse before the end of the year, in addition to being open to a partnership with the private sector for operation and management.

CIGC is known as one of the oldest golf courses in the country and first to offer the night golf in the past. It is located along the historic walls of the Intramuros, which is approximately 20 hectares in size, full 18 holes par 66 course, with a total span of 4,326 yards.

TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas said that one of the very first initiatives of TIEZA was to “redevelop” CIGC to make it more competitive with the other golf courses in the country.

“We consider the completion of the first phase of rehabilitation and the installation of the night golf facilities, one of the major milestones of the agency as this has reaffirmed our commitment to revitalize tourist destinations through the support of tourism infrastructure,” Paragas remarked.

“It is a historic and recreational site in itself. We prioritize the rehabilitation of this because we want to attract golfers and non-golfers to visit the CIGC because it is not just a golfing facility, it is also a venue for meetings, special events, or any celebrations for families and corporate groups ” Paragas added.

A few weeks ago, internationally-acclaimed Filipino golfers Bianca Pagdanganan (gold medalist of 30th SEA Games and 2018 Asian Games), Yuka Saso (gold medalist of 2018 Asian Games), and reigning Amateur Champion Jobim Carlos (National Doubles Golf Championship, Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament and W-Express National Golf Amateur Golf Championship) visited the Club Intramuros to try out the newly rehabilitated golf course with its newly installed night golf facilities.

They enjoyed their experience playing in the “iconic” golf course and shared their excitement to play again with other golfers and enthusiasts.

CIGC will be opened to the public starting on Feb. 28 and every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday thereafter. The night golf facilities will be open three times a week for resident and non-resident players, from 3:30 p.m. until 12 midnight. Last tee-off is at 7 p.m.

For more information on the schedule and the green fee rates of the Club Intramuros Golf Course, the public may contact the following numbers: 8526-1291 and 8527-6614 and look for Archieval Mazon dela Cruz, CIGC Reservation Officer. CIGC is located at Anda Circle, Bonifacio Drive, Intramuros, Manila.

Games from Gibraltar

Gibraltar Masters 2020
Caleta Hotel, Gibraltar
Jan. 21 — 30, 2020

Final Top Standings:

1 — 7. Andrey Esipenko RUS 2654, Wang Hao CHN 2758, Daniil Yuffa 2566, David Paravyan RUS 2629, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave FRA 2770, David Navara CZE 2717, Mustaf Yilmaz TUR 2607, 7.5/10

8 — 23. Parham Maghsoodloo IRI 2674, Jan Werle NED 2545, Veselin Topalov BUL 2738, Aryan Chopra IND 2562, Mikhail Kobalia RUS 2609, Murali Karthikeyan IND 2606, Michael Adams ENG 2694, Le Quang Liem VIE 2713, Gawain Jones ENG 2679, Ivan Saric CRO 2655, Krishnan Sasikiran IND 2648, Jules Moussard FRA 2600, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa IND 2602, Bogdan-Daniel Deac ROU 2626, Tan Zhongyi CHN 2493, Daniele Vocaturo ITA 2622, 7.0/10

Total Participants: 250 players

Time Control: 100 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 50 minutes for the next 20 moves followed by 15 minutes for the rest of the game with 30 seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1

The Azeri GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was the top seed of the tournament but withdrew before start of play on round 8 due to illness.

Mamedyarov, born April 12, 1958, is among the best players in the world. With a current rating of 2770 he is the no. 1 in Azerbaijan and no. 8 in the world (just one slot behind Wesley So). His personal best rating of 2820 makes him the sixth-highest-rated player of all time in chess history.

Mamedyarov has competed in the Candidates Tournament in 2011 (eliminated in quarterfinals), in 2014 (placing fourth) and in 2018 (placing second). He won the World Junior Championship in 2003 (Nakchivan). There were some murmurs that many of the best juniors at the time could not take part because it was held in such a remote town within Azerbaijan. Anyway Mamedyarov wanted none of that and took part in the Istanbul 2005 Juniors, winning it again. He entered the history books as the first and only two-time World Junior Champion.

His career has been on a sort of roller-coaster trajectory. He reached the ranking of the fourth highest rated player in January 2007 (2754) and then stagnated for a while in the low 2700s before surging back up to no. 2 in the world on February 2018.

Magnus Carlsen has the longest confirmed unbeaten streak at the elite level — his record currently stands at 120 games. When was the last time he lost? That was in Biel 2018 against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.

It is games like the following which reminded me of just how strong Mamedyarov can be so long as he focuses. I didn’t even notice it until my attention was called by John Saunders, the Press Officer of the 2020 Gibraltar Chess Festival. He is no mean player himself, having represented Wales in international competition.

John has a real gift for explaining the game and after going through his notes I finally understood what was happening, and gained a higher appreciation of the artistry of Mamedyarov. I present them now to you with his kind permission.

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2770) — Gordon, Stephen J. (2504) [D38]
18th Gibraltar Masters Caleta Hotel, Gibraltar (2.1), 22.01.2020

I will turn over the analysis of the game to John Saunders on the 48th move.

Playing Black is Stephen Gordon, a 33-year old English Grandmaster. He is a former English Junior Champion and very nearly won the 2006 European Championship, finishing joint second place behind Nigel Short.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4

Once again we have a Ragozin.

5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 0 — 0 8.Be2 dxc4 9.0 — 0

This is the point behind White’s 8.Be2 instead of the more common 8.Bd3. With the bishop on d3 White would be forced to retake the pawn on c4.

9…c5

Black can try to hold on to the pawn with 9…Bxc3 but then 10.bxc3 b5 11.a4 c6 12.Ne5 a6 13.Bf3 White’s pressure on the queenside is more than enough for the sacrificed pawn.

10.Ne4 Qe7 11.a3 cxd4 12.Qxd4

[12.axb4 d3]

12…Ba5 13.Qxc4 Bd7 14.Qc5 Nc6 15.Qxe7 Nxe7 16.Nc5 Bc6 17.Ne5 Bb6 18.Nxc6 Bxc5 19.Na5 b6 20.Nc4

White is threatening 21.b4 which wins a pawn after 21…b5 22.bxc5 bxc4 23.Rfc1.

20…Rfd8 21.b4 Bd6 22.Rac1 Nd5

Taking away the c7 — square from the white rook.

23.g3 Bf8 24.Rc2 Rac8 25.Rfc1 g6 26.e4 Nf6 27.f3 Nd7

Black has defended his position well and the position is equal. As BW readers know though equal is not the same as drawn. Shakh keeps trying.

28.Kg2 Nb8 29.f4 Rc7 30.Ne5 Rxc2 31.Rxc2 Bd6 32.Ng4 Kg7 33.e5 Be7 34.Nf2 a5 35.Rc7 Rd7 36.Rc8 Rd8 37.Rxd8 Bxd8 38.bxa5 bxa5 39.Bb5 f6 40.Nd3 Bb6 41.exf6+ Kxf6 42.a4 g5 43.Kf3 Kf5 44.h3 Bc7 45.fxg5 Kxg5 46.Nf2 Kf5 47.h4 Kf6 <D>

POSITION AFTER 47…KF6

At this stage I turn you over to John Saunders. Comment with <BA> is mine.

48.h5!?

Engines don’t care for this move, and not many humans would think to play it, but it exemplifies how imaginative (and what a high-class trickster) Mamedyarov is. The pawn looks vulnerable to capture by the black king but Mamedyarov has laced it with a long-lasting poison of such toxicity that can hardly be credited.

48…Bb6

<BA> Going for the pawn right away will backfire spectacularly: 48…Kg5? 49.Ne4+! Kxh5 (49…Kf5 50.g4+ Ke5 51.g5 hxg5 52.h6 g4+ 53.Ke3 Kf5 54.h7 Be5 55.Nd6+ Kg6 56.Bd3+ Kg7? 57.h8Q+ Kxh8 58.Nf7+ Kg7 59.Nxe5 beautiful, right?) 50.Be8# checkmate!

49.Ng4+ Kg5 50.Ne5 Bc7

Not falling for 50…Kxh5?? 51.Kf4! followed by 52.Be2 mate, which only the futile 52…Be3+ prevents. Mamedyarov is using this tactical trick to indirectly defend his h-pawn, but he’s not finished yet.

51.Ng6 e5

It’s more or less the same trap as before but with the merest hint of mate this time and in more temptingly attractive wrapping paper: 51…Kxh5? 52.Nf4+ Bxf4 53.Kxf4 — once again threatening mate in one, this time by Be8 — 53…Kg6 54.Ke5 and the white king strolls across the board unhindered to consume the stranded knight.

However, it turns out that Black has an improbable antidote here with 51…Bd6!! when 52.Nf4 Bxf4 53.gxf4+ Kxh5 54.Ke4 Kh4!! and Stockfish tells us that Black can hold. I won’t pretend for a second, I can explain why, even when led by the nose by the analysis engine, and this would be phenomenally hard for any human, let alone one as cerebrally and chronologically challenged as me, to figure out over the board. (54…Kg4 doesn’t work because of 55.Bc4!!, apparently, but once again it’s too far above my pay grade to explain why)

52.Ke4 Kg4

The poison is still active: 52…Kxh5?? 53.Kf5 wins.

53.Nxe5+ Kxg3

[53…Kg5 probably only postpones dinner. The g3 — pawn is poisonous too, of course, and practically has a skull and crossbones etched into it, but Black probably wanted to end his suffering]

54.Kf5!

The only move to win, but now the air has cleared a little, it is not quite so hard to find.

54…Kh4 55.Ng6+! 1 — 0

One final offer of the deadly h-pawn is spurned and instead Black resigned. The black king is forced away from the action. 55…Kg3 (55…Kxh5? 56.Be2#) 56.Nh8! — an unusual situation where a knight going into a corner is the best move — 56…Kh4 57.Kg6 and suddenly it all becomes obvious how the knight will snaffle the h6 — pawn and the white h-pawn will have a clear run through to promote or win the bishop.

I love this ending because it also brought back memories of a less complicated time many many years ago when I was still in the elementary level of Xavier School. One day I discovered the book One Hundred Selected Games by the 6th world chess champion Mikhail Botvinnik.

He wrote about a game he played against the Leningrad first category player (roughly equivalent to our candidate master) Liutov in the winter of 1925. The notes below are Botvinnik’s:

Liutov — Botvinnik, Mikhail Leningrad, 1925
[Botvinnik, M.]

<Black to play>

In the position shown on the diagram, Black has two extra pawns and a strong attack, as against White’s extra knight. Play went:

1…h5! 2.Qxh5

A loss follows both

2.g4 hxg4+ 3.Qxg4 Qh1+ 4.Kg3 Qe1+;

2.Qb7+ Kh6 and there is no defense against g5 — g4+.

2…Qh1+ 3.Kg4 Qd1+ 4.Nf3 Qd7# 0-1

The end was so unexpected that for a moment my opponent did not notice that the game was over.

Well, the mating finish stunned me as well — — I had no inkling that it was coming. For some reason Mamedyarov’s “trick” brought me back to the day when I saw the Botvinnik mate. The beauty of chess I discovered on that day is still there today.

We will take up a few more games on Thursday before leaving Gibraltar.

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

The old Tiger

There was a time when Tiger Woods would have been so ticked off by a poor round to the point of frustration. He would have headed straight to the range to correct his swing, striving to let the dark be his light in order to prep for the immediate future. Continuous improvement was his mantra, never mind the stakes, never mind the circumstances. The high number he just shot occupying his mind, he would have tried to scratch an itch in the belief that a remedy was in store. Then, he insisted that a remedy was always in store; it was just a matter of finding the right one.

That Tiger Woods is no longer around these days. He has been replaced by a more mature, more experienced, and, therefore, more considerate version who has learned the value of acceptance. The effects of multiple injuries and surgeries, including a serious flirtation with forced retirement, have mellowed him considerably. And, given his advancing age, he understands that he will not always be at his best. In fact, he will be far from it often — derailed by factors that used to be extraneous. Plenty can get him now. The cold. Or an unexplained stiffness. Or a mood swing. Or a family obligation. Any and all reasons that he used to chuck by the wayside in pursuit of success.

Which, for all intents, was why Woods proved mostly resigned to his plight yesterday. He appeared irked when he shot 73 two days prior, and not simply because he stood as host of the Genesis Invitational. After progressively hitting new lows to his current campaign, however, irritation was replaced by forbearance. He greeted the weekend with fatigue, and he went away with a 74 and a 77 for his efforts. He still displayed his usual focus with and in every shot, but skill failed to accompany will — because he was older. Because he was just plain old.

Interestingly, Woods declared his desire to further prune his commitments in the aftermath. His aim, he said, was to compete in a mere 12 tournaments through a given season. He wants to preserve his energy, and, by extension, himself. It’s why he won’t be at the Mexico Championship this week, the lure and allure of participating in a no-cut, limited-field event in order to gain crucial world rankings points for an Olympic berth notwithstanding. And it’s why his schedule heading into the Masters isn’t a lock as yet. How he feels prior to committing is crucial.

One thing’s sure, though: Woods will get up for the tournaments he cares for the most. He’ll leave nothing in the tank for the majors. He’ll be dead set on defending his title at Augusta in April, on contending at Harding Park in May, on doing better at Winged Foot in June, and on turning his acquaintance with Royal St. George’s into victory in July. At 44, he’ll be hoping for his best. And, at 44, he’ll need no small measure of luck to brandish it.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Infected Pinoys in cruise ship now at 27 — DFA

THE number of Filipinos aboard a cruise ship who tested positive for the new coronavirus strain has risen to 27, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The number included 16 new cases confirmed on Saturday, all of whom were crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, the agency said in a statement on Monday.

The virus has killed more than 1,700 people and sickened about 70,000 more, mostly in China, according to country’s National Health Commission.

The Japanese Health Ministry had said all crew and passengers on board would be tested starting yesterday, DFA said. Test results would become available by the time the ship’s quarantine period ends, it added.

The Japanese government announced 70 new confirmed cases on Sunday, which did not include any Filipinos. The quarantine period will end on Feb. 19.

DFA said an inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases was set to meet on Monday to determine the Philippine government’s next action concerning Filipinos aboard the cruise ship.

“Certainly, we will assist all the Filipinos who are currently in Yokohama,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Martin R. Meñez said at a briefing at the presidential palace.

Any moves would be coordinated and would need clearance from the Japanese government, he added.

The cruise ship has about 3,700 passengers and crew members, 538 of whom are Filipinos.

Countries including the United States, Italy and South Korea have moved to repatriate their nationals quarantined in cruise ship.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DoH) said 350 of almost 500 people under investigation for the new coronavirus strain had been discharged.

The agency said 171 people were still confined in hospitals and were being monitored.

DoH said 453 people had tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Confirmed cases remained at three, while the test results for 22 more were pending.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III traced the decreasing trend to the agency’s strengthened surveillance, assessment and management interventions.

“Although we see a decreasing trend, the department will not be complacent and will be more vigilant as we brace for the possibility of local transmission in our country,” he said in a statement.

The Philippines imposed a travel ban on foreigners coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau. — Charmaine A. Tadalan and Gillian M. Cortez

Duterte to visit local tourist destinations

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte will visit local tourist destinations including the world renowned Boracay beach in the coming weeks to encourage local travel amid a coronavirus outbreak, the presidential palace said on Monday.

“He’s a magnet,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said at a briefing. “His presence attracts people,” he added, citing the need for Filipinos to support the local tourism industry.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Fatima T. Romulo-Puyat has said the industry could lose P42.9 billion from February to April — P16.8 billion this month, P14.11 billion in March and P11.98 billion in April because of trip cancellations overseas.

Roberto Lim, executive director and vice-chairman of the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (ACAP) said last week they expect to lose about P3 billion from ticket refunds in the next two months after the Philippine travel ban on China and its administrative regions.

China is the Philippines’ top 2 foreign tourist market, with more than 1.7 million arrivals last year.

Tourism Undersecretary Arturo Boncato told a separate briefing the agency was still finalizing the tourist stops that Mr. Duterte would visit.

The Tourism department was lining up destinations including Boracay island, Cebu and Bohol, he said. Mr. Duterte wanted to visit as many places as possible, he added. — Gillian M. Cortez

Senate body uncovers illegal airport scheme for Chinese nationals

SENATORS on Monday uncovered an illegal scheme that allows the entry of Chinese nationals for a fee.

Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel at yesterday’s hearing presented a video supposedly taken by an airport worker showing incoming Chinese nationals being escorted to an office at the Manila international’s airport.

The tourists’ identities were then validated based on a list of names and their corresponding flight numbers and photos.

Ms. Baraquel also showed screenshots of Viber messages among Immigration officers discussing the illegal scheme, as well as a worksheet containing the P10,000 paid by each of the tourists.

The Chinese nationals were allegedly allowed entry.

Immigration officials who attended the hearing denied knowledge of the scheme, prompting the senator to say that they were either complicit or negligent.

“This is the first time we saw this particular rundown of amounts,” Port Operations Division chief Grifton Medina told the Senate committee on women, children and family relations.

The Senate body was tackling the illegal entry of Chinese nationals who end up working in offshore gaming companies in the Philippines.

Some female workers had also been allegedly trafficked and forced to work as sex slaves.

Ms. Baraquel told reporters after the hearing it was unlikely that Immigration officials were ignorant of the illegal scheme.

She noted that if reforms had really been started, the bureau would have discovered the scheme a long time ago.

The lawmaker said the government must order a crackdown against unscrupulous Immigration officials involved in the anomaly.

The Senate committee will examine at its next hearing the cost and benefit of offshore gaming companies, whose operators and clients are mostly Chinese.

Also yesterday, the Justice department said it would follow the Senate inquiry and help in the investigation of the illegal scheme.

“The Office of the Commissioner of Immigration will initiate its own investigation on the matter,” Undersecretary Markk L. Perete told reporters in a group message.

“The department will closely monitor and supervise this investigation to ensure that those responsible will be held to account,” he added. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Mandaue City to declare 3 rivers off-limits after poliovirus result

THE MANDAUE City government will declare three of its rivers — Butuanon, Mahiga, and Tipolo — including the tributaries, off-limits to the public following test results indicating that the Butuanon River is positive of the poliovirus. John Eddu Ibañez, chief of staff of Mayor Jonas C. Cortes, said the Butuanon River Management Board was scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the matter. They will also meet with Cebu City Mayor Edgardo C. Labella for coordination as the Butuanon River traverses the two cities. “While it is most unfortunate that this news came at the time when we are still reeling from the effects of COVID-2019, it is good that we knew of this the earliest in order for us to align our time and resources to address this concern,” Mr. Ibañez said. “We will ramp up our vaccination campaign and information dissemination against polio and other preventable diseases,” he added. The Department of Health (DoH), through the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM), announced last Saturday that environmental samples from Butuanon River tested positive for poliovirus. The DoH, in a statement, said it is coordinating with the World Health Organization for an appropriate vaccination response. “It is important that we are able to timely detect any acute onset of paralysis in children — especially within our communities. We have evidence that the poliovirus continues to spread. Our aim is to promptly diagnose and treat all possible polio cases,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque, III. The DoH has been implementing a nationwide vaccination drive after a polio outbreak was declared in September 2019, almost two decades since the country has been free from the virus. — The Freeman

Danger zone markers out, but Taal still a no-go zone

MEMBERS of the Philippine Coast Guard on Monday remove the bouys marking the seven-kilometer danger zone around Taal Volcano after the alert level was downgraded to two from three last Friday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology (PHIVOLCS), however, reiterated in its Feb. 17 advisory that at Alert Level 2, “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur.” As such, the Taal Volcano Island, declared as a permanent danger zone, remains off-limits. Entry into to the island “must be strictly prohibited,” PHIVOLCS said.

Davao Metro Shuttle starts serving intracity route

THE DAVAO Metro Shuttle Bus Company has started serving an intracity route in Davao City as part of its expansion program.

“Aside from looking into the possibility of additional revenue for the company, we also see that this would also increase awareness of our presence in the city and all over the (Davao) region,” Davao Metro Shuttle President De Carlo L. Uy said in an interview during Monday’s launch of the initial two bus units that will serve the Davao-Calinan route.

The bus firm, established in 1995 with its main office in Tagum City, has been operating inter-city, inter-province and inter-regional routes.

The two new buses are part of the total franchise of 17 units originally owned by Annil Transport Services Inc., which Davao Metro Shuttle recently bought.

The franchise covers the Roxas-Bankerohan-Calinan route.

Mr. Uy said they will be assessing demand before purchasing more buses.

The bus units are Euro 5 low-entry buses, with ramps for wheelchairs. It is also equipped with CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi access, and a cashless fare collection facility.

The operating hours are still being adjusted based on “lean days and peak hours,” he said.

Mr. Uy said the company’s expansion plans are in line with the government’s transport modernization program.

With a current fleet of about 300 buses, Mr. Uy said they are looking at opportunities in other regions. — Maya M. Padillo

3,000 drivers to get training for new Davao City bus service

THE 3,000 drivers who will be employed for the High Bus Priority System (HPBS), with priority given to existing jeepney drivers, will undergo training to get a certification from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Assistant City Administrator Tristan Dwight P. Domingo said about 300 drivers have already signified their interest in securing the TESDA National Certification III for bus and truck driving course. “This is a good sign. Many have inquired already following the HPBS implementation, and during our consultation dialogues, most of these drivers said they are interested to apply for the NC III training,” Mr. Domingo told the media last week. He added that if there are not enough passers of the certification process, those who failed could still be employed, depending on their rating. The drivers will cover the three routes — Toril, Catalunan Grande, Diversion Road — under the project’s initial phase. The training is part of the social intervention program being offered to jeepney drivers and operators who will be affected by the new public transport system.

TOR
Meanwhile, the city government is still finalizing the terms of reference (TOR) for the HPBS, but several bus companies and jeepney cooperatives have already indicated their intent to apply for the contracts. “Although there are many inquiries already, we still can’t process anything yet as of the moment as there are still no terms of reference,” Mr. Domingo said. The city plans to limit the number of HPBS operators to five. Late last year, the national government approved the implementation of the project, which will cost about P19 billion, of which P2.8 billion will come from the city government as counterpart. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

1...9,8689,8699,870...14,238Page 9,869 of 14,238
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube