ew super contagious Omicron mutant spreads

By Associated Press

THE quickly changing coronavirus has spawned yet another super contagious Omicron mutant that's worrying scientists as it gains ground in India and pops up in numerous other countries, including the United States.

Scientists say the variant — called BA.2.75 — may be able to spread rapidly and get around immunity from vaccines and previous infection. It's unclear whether it could cause more serious disease than other Omicron variants, including the globally prominent BA.5.

"It's still really early on for us to draw too many conclusions," said Matthew Binnicker, director of clinical virology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "But it does look like, especially in India, the rates of transmission are showing kind of that exponential increase." Whether it will outcompete BA.5, he said, is yet to be determined.

Still, the fact that it has already been detected in many parts of the world even with lower levels of viral surveillance "is an early indication it is spreading," said Shishi Luo, head of infectious diseases for Helix, a company that supplies viral sequencing information to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest mutant has been spotted in several distant states in India, and appears to be spreading faster than other variants there, said Lipi Thukral, a scientist at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi. It's also been detected in about 10 other countries, including Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada. Two cases were recently identified on the West Coast of the US, and Helix identified a third US case last week.

Fueling experts' concerns are a large number of mutations separating this new variant from Omicron predecessors. Some of those mutations are in areas that relate to the spike protein and could allow the virus to bind onto cells more efficiently, Binnicker said.

Another concern is that the genetic tweaks may make it easier for the virus to skirt past antibodies — protective proteins made by the body in response to a vaccine or infection from an earlier variant.

But experts say vaccines and boosters are still the best defense against severe Covid-19. In the fall, it's likely the US will see updated formulations of the vaccine being developed that target more recent Omicron strains.

"Some may say, 'Well, vaccination and boosting hasn't prevented people from getting infected.' And, yes, that is true," he said. "But what we have seen is that the rates of people ending up in the hospital and dying have significantly decreased. As more people have been vaccinated, boosted or naturally infected, we are starting to see the background levels of immunity worldwide creep up."

PH logs first Omicron sub-variant case

It may take several weeks to get a sense of whether the latest Omicron mutant may affect the trajectory of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies viruses at India's Christian Medical College in Vellore, said the growing concern over the variant underlines the need for more sustained efforts to track and trace viruses that combine genetic efforts with real world information about who is getting sick and how badly. "It is important that surveillance isn't a start-stop strategy," she said.

Luo said BA.2.75 is another reminder that the coronavirus is continually evolving — and spreading.

"We would like to return to pre-pandemic life, but we still need to be careful," she said. "We need to accept that we're now living with a higher level of risk than we used to."

PHO-Davao de Oro to launch feeding programs in LGUs

 

Davao de Oro Province---In celebration of the Nutrition Month with the theme ““New normal na nutrisyon, sama-samang gawan ng solusyon,” the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro headed through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) will continue to strengthen its programs to counter malnutrition incidence in the province.

Recently, the Adopt-A-Child Program, an initiative spearheaded by the PHO rehabilitated a total of thirty-three (33) children beneficiaries formerly under the brink of malnutrition in the municipality of Laak. The program successfully addressed barriers that impedes children to access a healthier life, and regulated the effects of malnutrition among the beneficiaries. During its operation, the program offers weekly supplies for every beneficiary funded by the different departments of the provincial government.

According to the PHO, community-based feeding program operations of the provincial government will continue to operate starting-off in the municipality of Pantukan, with the second highest malnutrition incidence following Laak, this second week of July. The community-based feeding program will also cover the rest of the municipalities in the province.

Earlier this morning during the regular flag raising ceremony, PHO encouraged each and every employee of PLGU-DdO to a healthier lifestyle in order to further adapt with the changes brought by the pandemic. A nutrition hut was also established by PHO at the provincial capitol lobby, offering fresh farm-produce from the Nabunturan Vendors initiated by the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAGRO).

Governor Dorothy Montejo Gonzaga visited the hut together with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Members and PG Department Heads of the provincial offices. (Jasteen Abella, Information Office Davao de Oro, photo by J. Cadiz)

Make war to gain peace

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THAT is not a smart-alecky statement. It has to be taken seriously, since in a sense it comes from Christ himself. Note what he said in the Gospel of St. Matthew:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.” (10,34-36)

But lest we think such a statement is just a capricious, if not evil desire of Christ, he made some clarification. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (10,37-39)

It’s clear that Christ wants us to make war against anything that would prevent us from being with him. And it is only with him when we can have our true and lasting joy and peace.

We just have to make sure though that when we wage war as suggested by Christ, we do it not out of hatred against anybody or anything, since God loves everyone and everything that he created. We have to do it with the same love God has for everyone and everything. It’s actually a war of peace and love.

We have to understand that in this life we have to make war to have peace. And peace can only come about, at least in this life, as a consequence of some war. Our life here on earth will always be a war of peace. We should not be surprised by this phenomenon anymore. It should be a given.

The war we will be waging here on earth will be a constructive war, not destructive. It is a war to win our way toward heaven. It is a war to make ourselves “another Christ,” a new man, stepping out of the old man that we all are due to sin. Any obstacle along the way, including those who are very close to us but who compete with God for our love, should be fought and rejected.

We have to remember that we always have to contend with powerful enemies in our spiritual life. The first one would be our own selves, our own flesh that has been weakened by sin. There is such thing as concupiscence, a certain attraction to evil that leads us to have a lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

Yes, our Christian life here on earth will always involve some war, some struggle and effort, some combat. But all of this would be done in peace and for peace. The combination may sound incredible, but that is what Christ is showing and telling us.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace,” he told his disciples. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16,33) If by faith and effort, we do our best to stick with Christ, we know that victory is always assured for us. Peace is gained by making war.

*Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE) Talamban, Cebu City

 Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

No bank sought BSP support since pandemic

by Lee C. Chipongian, Manila Bulletin

Not a single bank applied for financial assistance since the pandemic began in 2020, according to the central bank’s highest-ranking official.

“No bank needed financial assistance,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe M. Medalla told Manila Bulletin.

Medalla is referring to all banks — the big banks or the universal and commercial banks, the medium-sized thrift banks, and the small rural banks supervised by the BSP.

He said banks remain adequately well-capitalized with enough liquidity and buffers even as non-performing loans (NPLs) and non-performing assets (NPAs) rose in the last two years. NPLs are unpaid loans for more than 30 days while NPAs are loans in default.

The BSP has remedial measures to help solvent banks resolve temporary liquidity problems from “causes beyond their control” such as the pandemic. It extends fully-secured emergency loans to banks as financial assistance.

Medalla confirmed that no bank has approached the BSP for financial support because of the public health crisis and its resulting mobility restrictions which impacted on borrowers’ capacity to pay loans.

During the lockdowns, especially in 2020 and the middle part of 2021, business operations were stalled and jobs were lost. Banks had limited activities but it was business as usual for majority of financial institutions via digital means.

“Universal and commercial banks have more than adequate capitalization,” said Medalla.

Based on the BSP Charter, the BSP’s financial assistance to banking institutions is limited to the amount needed by the applicant bank to overcome the emergency or financial predicament but should not exceed 50 percent of its deposits and deposit substitutes. In addition, any emergency advance will be collateralized by government securities and other unencumbered first-class collaterals such as real estate.

As for the rural banks, Medalla said the BSP will soon launch the Rural Bank Strengthening Program (RBSP) which is aimed at assisting small banks hit by the pandemic.

The RBSP, which will replace the Consolidation Program for Rural Banks, will be implemented for three years. It is described as a structured program with four key elements: strengthened capital base; holistic menu of five time-bound tracks; incentives and capacity building interventions; and review and enhancements of existing regulations. These five time-bound tracks are merger and consolidation, acquisition/third party investment, voluntary exit/upgrade of license, capital build-up, and supervisory intervention.

Under RBSP, the BSP wants at least P60 million minimum capital requirement for rural banks. For rural banks with more than five branches, the minimum capital should be P200 million.

Meanwhile, the central bank recently circulated a proposed circular for banks’ guidelines for crafting their recovery plans. Basically, the BSP wants all banks to report within 24 hours if triggers in their recovery plans are breached and to activate recovery measures within three days.

The recovery plans of banks are expected to be commensurate to their size, nature and complexity of operations, overall risk profile, and systemic importance.

Once the circular is approved, banks will submit a recovery plan every June 30. Banks have until July 15 to post feedback or suggestions to the BSP on the guidelines of the recovery plans.

Since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the BSP closed the operations of 21 rural banks while two rural banks voluntarily surrendered their banking licenses.

As of end-May this year, the BSP is supervising 498 banks, of which 45 are big banks which control over 90 percent of total banking resources. There are currently 43 thrift banks, 383 rural banks and 24 cooperative banks.

The banking sector’s NPL ratio has dropped to a 17-month low of 3.75 percent as of end-May while gross NPLs fell to P429.11 billion in May versus P447.44 billion in April. NPAs also decreased to P550 billion from P568.86 billion previously.

As of end-March, the BSP’s loans and advances amounted to P422 billion, lower compared to same period in 2021 of P665.4 billion and slightly up from the start of 2022 of P421.82 billion. These loans and advances include rediscounting loans and overdraft credit lines.

“The BSP extends discounts, loans and advances to banking institutions in order to influence the volume of credit consistent with objective of price stability and maintenance of financial stability. It also grants loans or advances to banking institutions in precarious financial condition or under serious financial pressures, subject to certain conditions,” said the BSP.

THRILLMAKER: Doesn’t she remind you of her mom?

by Joee Guilas, Manila Bulletin

That’s the first comment I heard about her when one of my team members spotted her as among the featured models in the “Denim Daze” fashion show at the Newport Mall Plaza recently.

“Which girl is that?” I asked, looking at the sea of models rehearsing at the Plaza.  “That one!” My assistant whispered, pointing to a girl wearing her standout natural Afro locks.  Now zooming in to a gaze, I easily saw her resemblance to one of the country’s most recognizable supermodels.     

19-year-old Asiana Doesnt need not explain where she got her looks and natural strut.  She grew up being known as Wilma Doesnt’s daughter, and she looks and moves it.

“That’s very flattering for me kasi mom’s pretty.  She really is.  She’s a supermodel.  Someone comparing me to a supermodel is wow,” she exclaimed when I finally got to chat with her and noted how much she looks like her famous mother.

Now an incoming second year Legal Management student at San Beda Alabang, the young stunner is slowly following in her mom’s footsteps and has already been getting her taste of the runway for about a year now.  Asked about her plans to take modeling seriously, her quick response was: “I’d rather take my studies more seriously,” but adds: “but this is an opportunity, and I’m gonna grab it every time it is offered to me.”

As a kid, she claims to have never really known much about her mother’s celebrity status.  She only realized how big her mom really is when she got to see one of her fashion shows: “I remember being so shocked by her ‘cause you know as a kid you don’t really see your mom dressed up like that every day and there you see her walking in the runway, she’s a superstar.”

And just when you thought, this daughter would have things a bit easier for her in the modeling world, Asiana clarifies that Wilma’s not the spoon-feeding type: “She never taught me how to model, all she said was just for me to be myself.”  Emphasizing uniqueness, Asiana shares the biggest lesson her mother taught her: “She always says: she’s her, and I’m me, para din hindi kami ipag-compare ng mga critics.”

While shutting the door for the possibility of her being a funny lady on TV—for now, Asiana only has high praises for her “model mom” for being like a friend to her.

“Sobrang saya.  There’s no dull moment with her,” she proudly says.

At 5’8, having a pretty face, a killer walk and good communication skills, Asiana is also being asked to consider joining the country’s most prestigious beauty pageants.  Now that’s something she’s not closing her doors to.

“Kung open opportunity po iyon, of course, I’ll grab it pero syempre kailangan ko pa rin ng proper training, and mentors, but I’d rather study first.”

Joey Albert revives kundiman music with new song 'Kundimang Kupas'

By Ricky L. Calderon, Manila Times

There are love songs and there are true love songs – faithful to the purpose of expressing honest, undying love. Such were our homegrown Kundimans, defined as Filipino traditional serenades.

New genres of Filipino love songs have evolved through the years, but one could say that the heart of the Filipino music is still rooted in the Kundiman and we will always come back to it. It is never lost.

After 40 years of a stellar career, OPM icon Joey Albert presents "Kundimang Kupas," another heartwarming love song by Robert More, the Filipino songwriter that wrote "A Million Miles Away," one of the most popular and beloved Joey Albert hits.

"When I first heard Kundimang Kupas, honestly I was moved to tears. I had not heard words spoken as such, nor felt honesty in a song as I did, in a very long time. I thought what of the new generations of Filipino singers might be missing, not having heard songs like this. So I asked the composer if I could record it," she said.

With passion and purpose, Joey carefully studied the song to make it as worthy of the composer as she could – keeping in mind the story of song.

'Unchecked exploitation of nature threatens billions'

SOUNDING THE ALARM This Sept. 14, 2020 file photo shows the United Nations headquarters in New York City. XINHUA PHOTO

By Agence France-Presse

PARIS: Rampant exploitation of nature is a threat to the well-being of billions of people across the world who rely on wild species for food, energy and income, biodiversity experts from the United Nations said on Friday.

From fishing and logging to the use of wild plants in medicines and perfumes, societies across the planet use species that have not been tamed or cultivated, with annual global legal and illegal trade in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

But as humans drive alarming biodiversity loss — and climate change threatens to accelerate the destruction — the UN's Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Ipbes), called for "transformative changes" in our relationship with wild species.

Ipbes, which has warned that a million species are at risk of extinction, said halting overexploitation was "critical to reverse the global trend in biodiversity decline" and hailed the crucial role of indigenous communities in protecting nature.

Its report, written by dozens of experts and indigenous advisers and approved by 139 member states, comes as the UN steers an international process to protect nature from human destruction in the coming decades.

"The use of wild species is absolutely crucial for humanity and nature," the Ipbes report co-chairman, Jean-Marc Fromentin, told Agence France-Presse (AFP), adding it was a "key issue for food security."

UN experts estimate "about 40 percent of humanity" relies in some way on wild species, he said, adding: "It's much bigger than you think."

Overall, 50,000 species are used for food, energy, medicine, material and other purposes around the world, the report said, with more than 10,000 different types harvested for human consumption.

Wild plants, algae and fungi provide food and income for one in five people globally, while some 2.4 billion people rely on wood for cooking.

Ipbes estimated that 70 percent of the world's poor depend directly on wild species and businesses linked to them.

But they are not the only ones.

"City dwellers in rich countries might not notice it, but wild plants are used in medicines or cosmetics. You eat wild fish and there is a good chance that your furniture comes from wild trees," Fromentin said.

Even foraging remains an important activity for people in North America and Europe, with notably high rates in Eastern Europe, according to the report, which said there was a "growing demand for wild foods" for high-end restaurants.

Wild trees account for two-thirds of global industrial roundwood, while trade in wild plants, algae and fungi is a billion-dollar industry.

But global trade can become disconnected from sustainable supply, with surging demand risking species and ecosystems, and the report said there was an "urgent" need for effective policies that adapt to local needs.

One major issue is the illicit trade in wild species, estimated to be worth between $69 billion and $199 billion a year, which Ipbes said was the third-largest illegal market after human trafficking and drugs.

While this largely targets trees and fish, the report said even smaller-scale trade in rare animals and plants, like orchids, can have devastating effects.

This trade "robs countries, indigenous people and local communities of access to their own resources and safe livelihoods," said Inger Andersen, head of the UN Environment Program.

Letting the natural world thrive is better business.

Tourism based on observing wild species was a key reason that protected areas globally received eight billion visitors and generated $600 billion every year before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, fisheries that are well-managed often have an increasing abundance of fish.

Atlantic bluefin tuna, for example, was fished to the brink by an explosion of demand for the sashimi market in the 1980s.

Initially, "scientific advice carried little weight against fisheries lobbies and national interests," Ipbes said, but a new strategy launched in 2007 has managed to rebuild the population.

In general, overexploitation is the main threat to wild marine species, it said, as well as a key threat to land and freshwater ecosystems.

Davao eyes higher rice and corn yields

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

Davao rice farmers show their harvest in this file photo taken in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur from the Department of Agriculture Region 11 office. 

THE Davao City Agriculturist's Office (Cagro) is gearing up its plans and programs to increase the production of crops such as rice and corn to deliver the promise of food security to the people of the city.

Cagro Head Edgardo Haspe said that the programs and projects of his office are geared toward food production and are currently given a boost because of a looming food deficit.

"The national government is anticipating a deficit in the food supply in the next two quarters. So there will be a shortage. The challenge for us since we are in charge of the crops so this is really a challenge for how to increase the production of rice and corn," he said.

He also said that their budget allocation for food production programs will also be increased to improve the city's food sufficiency and help residents brace for the looming food crisis and reduce the city's dependency on food imports.

"Because here in Davao City, we need 10,000 bags of rice to feed the entire population. And our buffer for the whole year, based on current production from less than 1,000 rice areas in the city, is only 14 days. So, the rest of that we outsource from other provinces and, at the same time, on imported rice," Haspe added.

Cagro is planning to expand the city's rice areas in the highlands to boost rice production.

The production of corn is also promising because of the significant number of farmers who shifted to corn farming as the price of the product increased.

Aside from increasing staple food production, the Cagro has accelerated other ongoing agriculture programs geared toward food security.

These include the quarterly distribution of fish fingerlings to fish farmers in the highlands and the distribution of seeds and seedlings.

FAO asked to keep food markets open

He said the city is now regularly producing seedlings to be distributed to Dabawenyo farmers. Over 1,000 sacks of fertilizer assistance had also been distributed to vegetable farmers since April this year.

Fertilizers and seeds have more than tripled in market prices since January, in conjunction with the rising fuel prices.

"Most of our programs provide support for our farmers most especially on fertilizers and seeds, plus or seedlings; we improved these programs for this year. We are producing seedlings and procuring seeds. At the same time, we are also producing fingerlings for our fish farmers," the official said.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte earlier vowed to ensure food security in the city amid an impending global food crisis.

BORN ON A SUNDAY

If the sky is dark and it pours cats and dogs like yesterday and some days earlier, I try my very best to beat the blues. The taxi drivers tried to make detours, the flights were delayed or cancelled due bad weather conditions - yes, it seems the whole world is against us! I am pretty sure, each one of us experienced similar times.

I was born on a Sunday - a so-called "Sunday Child". There are sayings that those people will live a life of great success without problems, worries, and trials. Many years ago, someone told me, those born on Sunday are truly shining stars like the sun. They are never satisfied with anything ordinary. They want to shine with a distinguished brilliance amidst other people. These are highly creative individuals who wish to place themselves in the first pale in every domain of life

Well, is that really so?

I remember very difficult, problematic and questionable times in my life. A cheating taxi driver or cancelled flight have been just peanuts if I compare. In those difficult times I almost lost all my strength to get down to work on all problems. Life's path became narrow. Fears grew: it's enough. Really enough!

I started becoming awkward and jerky. I struggled against almost everybody around me. I was reluctant to go against other's good ideas. I felt driven into a corner. People with indifference, arrogance and unqualified comments passed my way. Yes, also here in the Philippines... . Suddenly everything can become a problem and our voices  bellow and our groans are getting louder and louder too.

But hey, I learned something. Admittedly groans can lighten our burden! For even a short moment only, I did feel how my inner life - and inside pressure eased off. A short moment only... Suddenly more trials and problems overwhelmed us and our families and friends: illnesses, death, bankruptcy, "war at the working place", efforts giving us a bad name, destroying the reputation, intrigues... .

"You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me", (Psalm 23:5). Really? Amazing! We don't know about more and new spitefulness through my next "enemy on duty" in future.  Actually I also don't want to know it, because negativism blocks life and its future plans.

But I know Psalm 23. I read it, every time, if I am having a problem. Not if I meet again a detouring taxi or, if my flight is delayed.... .

Psalm 23 should be printed in each and every one's heart, mind and soul. Psalm 23 was my confirmation saying... .

AFP, PNP officials pay courtesy call on Governor Dorothy Gonzaga

 

Davao de Oro --- Officials of the 10th Infantry AGILA Division and the Provincial Police Office, headed by MGEN Nolasco A Mempin and Officer-In-Charge PCOL Benedicto F Faco, respectively, paid a courtesy call to Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga on separate dates at the Capitol Building, Activity Hall.

The visit aims to strengthen the cooperation and collaboration between the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro and the government forces in maintaining peace and order in the province. During the visit, MGEN Mempin presented the current security landscape, counterinsurgency campaign, accomplishments, and the 10th ID’s sustainment efforts, especially since the province was recently declared insurgency-free. He also gave input about the status of the people’s organizations and updates on former rebels - who left the communist movement and decided to return to the folds of the law.

Likewise, PCOL Faco also presented the current situation of peace and order in the province and discussed the continuous initiative programs and efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in preventing crimes and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in Davao de Oro.

In response, Governor Gonzaga and 2nd District Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga expressed their appreciation and gratitude for all the sacrifices and efforts of all the men and women in uniform, which significantly contributed to a peaceful and more progressive province. She also affirmed that under her leadership, the local government will showed full support and unwavering commitment for the implementation of the programs and initiatives of the 10th ID and PNP for the betterment of the people of Davao de Oro. (Rheafe Hortizano –Information Office, Photos by 10th ID and DDOPPO)