P 15.00 • 12 PAGES@EdgeDavao edgedavao@gmail.comwww.edgedavao.netf EDGE Serving a seamless society DAVAO SPORTS P 6 VOL.15 ISSUE 125 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 KARATEKASHAILED WASTEDWATER DCWD watertowaterconcernsraisesaboutlossduedamagedpipes STORY ON PAGE 2 Construction workers install round bars for a building’s foundation at a construction site along C.M. Recto Ave nue in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao
WATER WASTED
The Davao City Water District (DCWD) has raised concern about water loss due to damaged water pipes after some excavation works done by private contractors.
‘Continue bringing gov’t services closer to the people’ — Bong Go
DCWD deputy spokes person Jovana Cresta Du haylungsod explained that water loss is used as an ad ditional supply to the cus tomers of DCWD. She added that the cur rent figures (water loss) is already a very significant quantity which DCWD can already add one or two production wells. She called on contrac tors to notify DCWD right away of the damaged pipes. “Maong hangyo nato sa mga contractors nga ginag may man o ma dako, nisidlit ba ang tubig o wala as long as naigo ninyo ang tubo please contact us (DCWD) right away kay para before pa siya matabunan, ma-re store ma-check nato daan,” Duhaylungsod said during Kapehan sa Davao on Mon day.Duhaylungsod said damaged pipelines have a big impact on DCWD’s line even more if the transmis sion and distribution lines are “Inhit. fairness naman sa mga agencies and com panies concerned they already have a system in place just to lessen the risk kaya lang dili gyud mai wasan. It was something that we shared with the mayor (Baste) and he sup ports our call na unta on the part of the contractors to lessen the risk of hitting the pipelines,” she said. She also said that aside from water loss, this would also bring public inconve nience and economic im pact to the residents and businesses.“Labaw na kung Line 1 and Line 2 sa Dumoy ang maigo that is what hap pened recently. Naigo twice ang Line 2 sa atong trans mission line sa Iwha and another one ang atong Line 1 along Mcarthur Highway was also damaged because of an ongoing excavation works,” she Recently,said.Mayor Sebas
By MAYA M. PADILLO
VOL.15 ISSUE 125 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
2 EDGEDAVAO NEWS
DCWD raises concerns about water loss due to damaged water pipes
tian “Baste” Duterte asked contractors to look after ruptured water pipes after doing excavation activities so as not to affect the water supply in Davao City. The mayor notified the contractors that before they cover or bury the soil back, there should be a rep resentative or official from the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) to inspect if the wa ter line is still okay. “We really appreciate the mayor supporting us in this matter and we are also very happy kay mas mapa-strengthen man gud to ang atoang call na if ever dili gyud maiwasan despite all the protocols in place kung puwede i-report nila (contractors) sa atoa (DCWD) right away mag amay man o ma dako. Ang dako makita sa kadaghan an ug dali lang marespon dihan while kaning mga ginagmay labi na kung pag-igo nila wala sa ni-leak (water) later on mahuy ang ang tubo and pag naay water hammer sa atoang tubo usually mubigay ni and if ever mubigay ni unya natabunan na mas dako na ug trabaho,” Duhaylungsod said.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed in the 19th Congress var ious measures aimed at modernizing the bureaucra cy to better respond to the challenges of modern times and improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of public services especially to Filipinos who need govern ment attention the most. Among these measures include Senate Bill No. 194 or the proposed E-Governance Act of 2022, mandating the government to establish an integrated, interconnected, and interoperable informa tion and resource-sharing and communications net work spanning the entirety of the national and local gov ernment, an internal records management information system, an information data base, and digital portals for the delivery of public services. The measure pushes for the digitization of pa per-based and other tradi tional modes of workflows for a more efficient and transparent public service. Go stressed that the pub lic must feel that the govern ment is actually and truly at their fingertips, bringing key government services closer to the“Nakitapeople.natin ang impor tansya ng digital transfor mation in government. Sa private sector, napilitan ang mga negosyo na mag-adopt ng e-commerce techniques para mapabuti ang mga serbisyo nila,” the senator noted.“Lalo na sa gobyerno, there’s no better time than now to prioritize the govern ment’s digital transforma tion,” he added. Go likewise reintro duced in the Upper House SBN 1185 or the proposed Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act of 2022. Go noted that the Common wealth Act of 1940 which provided the mandate of the BI is “an outdated law passed during the American regime.”While amendments have been introduced over the years, Go explained that the immigration system needs to be updated to reflect pres ent challenges of the modern times.Under the bill, cotermi nous positions are created for the Office of the Commis sioner and Deputy Commis sioners. New positions will also be created under the Directorate for Planning and Research, and Directorate for Human Resources Man agement and Development. The creation of new posi tions under the bill, according to Go, could boost the produc tivity and efficiency of the BI. Go also reaffirmed the need to empower baran gays, as the country’s pri mary unit of governance, by providing barangay officials more opportunities to devel op their capabilities as well as provide them regular pay and other benefits. This prompted him to refile SBN 197 which would provide for a Magna Carta for Barangays.“Weallknow that the barangay and its officials are the immediate provider of frontline services to our fellow countrymen. Sila ang pinakaunang tinatakbuhan ng ating mga kababayan,” Go said.“And it is because of this reason that we have to fur ther improve the barangays and address the woes of our barangay officials,” he added. Under SBN 197, baran gay officials will be treated as regular government employ ees. The Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguni ang Barangay, the Sangguni ang Kabataan chairperson, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer will be entitled to salaries, emolu ments, allowances such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allow ance, 13th month pay and other benefits that regular government employees en joy.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go stresses that the public must feel that the government is actually and truly at their fingertips, bringing key government services closer to the people. Office of Sen. Bong Go
EDGEDAVAO NEWS 3
The 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) will push through as scheduled on December 5 according to an official of the regional Com mission on Elections (Comelec 11). of December 2023. Wala pa to napasa na balaod. Unless and until mugawas to siya as a law postponing the December 5 Barangay and SK elections kana ma postpone gyud siya. Pero sa pagka karon wala pa ma’y nigawas so pa dayon ang preparasyon sa Comelec,” Enumerables said. Currently, there is no law providing for the postpone ment of the barangay, and SK elections scheduled on De cember 5, 2022, have been enacted.Meanwhile, Enumerables said that Comelec 11 noticed that majority of the registrants in Davao Region are first-time voters and SK Enumerablesvoters.earlier re ported that there is a signifi cant increase in the number of voters since Comelec 11 opened the registration on July 4, 2022. In an interview in July this year, Enumerables re ported that Comelec 11 has recorded more than 60,000 voter applications wherein the majority of the regis trations were from voters belonging to the 15 to 17 years old with 20,342 regis trations. There were 12,970 total registrations of voters between 18 to 30 years old.
Mall goers wearing face masks roam around a mall in Ecoland, Davao City on Tuesday. Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has reminded Dabawenyos that wearing of face masks in the city is still mandatory until the national government says it is safe to discontinue wearing them in public. Edge Davao
Budget-friendly hotel girds for MICE events in Davao City
2 SoCot towns declared under state of calamity due to floods
VOL.15 ISSUE 125 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
By MAYA M. PADILLO
Budget-friendly hotel Go Hotels Lanang-Davao is gearing up for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Con ferences, and Exhibitions) events that will take place in DavaoTheCity.hotel has prepared its facilities like its function room fit for various events. Notably, the hotel’s Kadayawan func tion room can accommodate 80 to 100 guests, positioning it as an ideal venue for busi ness meetings, conferences, and other social events.
South Cotabato’s Sural lah and Tampakan mu nicipalities have been declared under a state of calamity due to recurring floods caused by heavy rains the past four days. “We are closely moni toring other areas affected by the disaster,” Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRR MO) officer-in-charge Rolly Aquino said Tuesday. With the declaration, Aquino said the province can now use its Quick Response Fund (QRF) in responding to calamities and rebuilding damaged infrastructures. In Surallah town, three barangays (villages) were greatly affected by a series of floods and landslides. Surallah Mayor Pedro Matinong Jr. said the sub merged villages include Tu bi-Ala, Upper Sepaka and Little“TheBaguio.roads in these ba rangays have become inac cessible, crops have been damaged, while a bridge also collapsed,” Matinong said in a statement Tuesday. He said heavy equipment were immediately deployed to aid the disaster-stricken areas, while the municipal social welfare office distrib uted food packs to the affect ed residents.Inthemunicipality of Tampakan, three barangays were also severely affected by floods and landslides. The barangays include Palo 19, Danlag, and Pula Bato, all close to the mine exploration area of the Tampakan mining project. (PNA)
SK, Barangay elections to push through: Comelec 11
Alongside its offering of a wide variety of function rooms for tourists and corpo rate events, Go Hotels Lanang also offers 183 rooms with chiropractic and hypoaller genic pillows, a safety deposit box, and wifi access. Go Hotels Lanang is stra tegically located and offers tourists and guests quick ac cess to the airport, shopping centers, and restaurants in the city.“Our hotel is also very near to SMX Convention Cen ter where most of the events will be held. Puwedeng sa sakay ng jeep lang ang ating mga guests papuntang SMX. Our compound has an array of restaurants and bars,” said Jennyflor Lopez Villafuerte, regional sales manager for Mindanao of Robinsons Land Corporation.Remilyn Salazar, opera tions manager of Go Hotels for VisMin, said a self-check-in kiosk will be available in Go Hotels Lanang first quarter of nextAyear.self-check-in kiosk al lows guests to expedite more routine tasks like booking, check-ins, checkouts, and room service requests. In June this year, the city government of Davao an nounced that Davao City will host the Philippine MICE Conference (MICECon) on November 16-18, 2022. The MICECon aims to showcase the strong partner ship of the city government of Davao and private tourism stakeholders and to consoli date and strengthen all sectors involved in the MICE industry by providing an ideal platform for a comprehensive educa tional program and trade op portunity for Philippine MICE and tourism practitioners. The much-anticipated event also aims to showcase new developments, facili ties, and products of the host destination and increase the levels of creativity and pro fessionalism, and further up grade the capabilities of the host destination in targeting and handling the MICE mar ket.
By Maya M. Padillo “Kung kami pang utan-on, madayon gyud kasi naga prepare man mi. Basta naay schedule na election or any activity mag prepare gyud ang comelec,” said Atty. Gay Enumerables, assistant regional director of Comelec 11, over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Tuesday. In terms of preparations, Enumerables said Comelec 11 is currently establishing precincts. “Mao na ang gina-final ize sa mga kaubanan nato sa mga field offices,” she said. Enumerables said the elections will push through amid Congress’ push to post pone the said elections. This is about the reports that the House panel on suffrage and electoral reforms sought the postponement of the said election to the first Monday
VANTAGE In
EDITORIAL
Water is a precious commodity and where wasted, af fects the household, the community and the local economy. Such is the concern of the city government of Davao and the Davao City Water District (DCWD) as concern has been raised about water loss due to damaged water pipes caused by some excavation works by private contractors. Water loss is passed on to the supply of consumers and at the rate we are losing water to busted pipes, the DCWD said it can already add one or two production wells. These busted pipes are a result of the diggings made by private contractors for road repairs and construction. The pipes burried underground consists of the critical source Lines 1 and 2 from its source in Dumoy. Once the trans mission and distribution lines are hit, it causes ripple effect to every household.
Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894 RICHARD C. EBONA Advertising Specialist SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance EDGEDAVAO Providing solutions to a seamless global village. NEILWIN L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Columnists: ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • MUJAHID NAVARRA • FRED C. LUMBA DENNIS R. GORECHO • VIDA MIA S. VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE • MOSES BILLACURA ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI MEGHANNGOTIANSE-TANSTA.INESFERINASANTOS Lifestyle edgedavao@gmail.com MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA Product Development officer Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe) LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Desk Editor ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Correspondent OLIVIA D. VELASCO President SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE the national association of newspapers GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Consultant MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter MOSES BILLACURA Sports Editor
4 EDGE
Precious commodity
After the spate of incidents of busted pipelines and water interruptions, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has made sure this will be mitigated but it needs ev eryone’s cooperation. He asked contractors to look af ter ruptured water pipes and to report if there is any incident of busted pipes. Before contractors cover the ground, the City Engineer’s Office has to inspect that no pipe is busted.
VOL.15 ISSUE 125 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
On their part, contractors should be wary of the existing pipelines and ensure they do not hit any of these whilst im plementing projects. This may not be 100 percent accurate as it is normal occurrence to hit a pipe or two, massive wa ter losses can be avoided by consulting the DCWD of the existing lines where pipes run through. DAVAO pushing for SBN 426 provides for the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Program which seeks to increase housing production by forging partnerships among relevant stakeholders to address the social housing demands of the Filipino families: Through these measures, it is my hope that the government will be better able to meet the demands of the modern world by delivering improved, efficient, and effective public services to all Filipinos.SenatorBong Go
MY PSALMS OF LIFE KLAUS GERMAN-PINOYDORINGEXPAT
GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES! ROBIN PADILLA, NO LONGER THE “BAD BOY” FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE
The length and breadth of a bumpy road is out there that Padilla will traverse which might make his task difficult to achieve that should follow a timeOfframe.course, I initially saw in Padilla a focused diligence and an audacious desire to fulfill his task.He understands the harsh reality of the Philippine situ ation, including the econom ic plight of the people where he said the millions who are poor are severely affected by contemporary global develop ments.He cited the rising costs of gas and fuel that inevitably cause the escalation of prices of foodHmmm.commodities.Inoticed though that only Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Francis Toletino lent their presence and attendance via zoom telecon ference, Both gave only short introductory comments. Must be a lonely place at the top as is often said. Robin needs to do a lot of reading to catch up as he seemed to be in a hurry to get conclusive reactions from re sourcePimentelpersons.was patient and kept advising the young chair man to just plod on and contin ue - with regularity - hold hear ings on the matter. As he kept citing the proce dures necessary to amend the 1987 constitution - constituent assembly )con-ass) or constitu tional convention con-con) - I wonder if Sen.Padilla is aware of a definite time frame to fol low.His job should be done in a couple of years so that a na tional referendum or plebiscite to coincide with the 2025 mid term elections can be simulta neously held, thus avoiding a very expensive exercise. Moreover, in-depth and in tense discussions and debate are expected to arise if and when the hearings proceed to sensitive topics like the eco nomic provisions and political structure.Weknow how argumenta tive and cantankerous our leg islatorsMonsodare. already made her position known. She is against any attempt to amend the 1987 charter as, she said, it becomes open to dangerous manipulations and unwarranted abuse if irrespon sibly left open to the whims and caprices of corrupt minds. She has a point and this makes Padilla’s task more ex citing.At any rate, we should commend Sen. Robin for his opening salvo. Who knows he could become the man of the hour. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)
VOL.15 ISSUE 125 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 EDGEDAVAO 5VANTAGE POINTS
“A psalm of life” is an inspi rational poem written by H. W. Longfellow as it gives the mes sage to the coming generation. It gives the encouragement to find the purpose of life and achieve our goal. It describes all the difficulties that we’ll find while achieving our goal. Longfellow was thirty-one when he wrote “A Psalm of Life,” likely writing it to fight back the inertia of depression overtak ing him after the death of his wife from the complications of a miscarriage in the latter part of 1835.This poem is known for its optimism and the theme-right attitude of life. The poet gives out the message that pleasure or sorrow is not the goal of life. The purpose of life is to carry out all duties and responsibil ities for the progress and good of all. We should realize life is shorter and quicker. We are always in God’s lime light.Through the ages, people have experienced challenges that show God’s hands - moth ers and fathers, the young and the old, simple shepherds and popular scholars, soldiers and actors.God watches over me - no matter how I feel right now: safe and secure in a wholly and warm hearted community or alone and feeling abandoned. God knows my doubts, worries, troubles and challenges in my dailyThelife.Psalms became a very important part in my life. It hap pened purely by accident. Long time ago, I stayed in a hotel in a foreign country in Europe. I felt really uncomfortable. I’ll not be boring you with details. I re member asking myself what the psalm writers also frequently did: “Where are you God? Why don’t you help me?” Yes, the presence of real en emies is also part of our daily life here and everywhere. Any way, suddenly I found a bible in the bottom drawer of my night table. I started reading the Psalms... . At the very center of the bi ble are these songs, the Psalms, rising up like a tune from the heart. They capture the inner most thoughts and prayers, and they still speak directly to our needs. For every emotion and mood, you can find a Psalm to match. The Psalms wrestle with the deepest sorrow and ask God the hardest questions about suffering and injustice. They do not tip flowery compliments to God: they cry out to Him, or shout for joy before Him. In almost every Psalm you find the presence of God, not as a philosophical principle, but as someone, who can change your life, if you allow Him to do so. Already during 1980’s, I learned from my Philippine mentor, the late Monsignore Professor Dr. Dr. Hermogenes E. Bacareza, chaplain of the Philip pine community in Berlin, who said that the best way to read the Psalms is simple: to make these ancient prayers your own and speak directly to God. So many of the poems catch deep human feelings that you can’t help but be moved by them. It will take time to under stand all Psalms; some might be boring or even self-con gratulatory. Read them again and again. Psalms cries from the heart and songs of sorrow as well as joy - reflections for moods and experiences. Since reading the Psalms, I learned and understood that for God, we’re always in the limelight.+++Email me: doringklaus@ gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter or visit sic.blogspot.comwww.klausdoringsclassicalmuthephilippines.blogspot.comwww.germanexpatinor.
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection which is noblest; second, by imi tation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.” - CONFUCIUS Combined******* with amusement and delight, I watched on video the proceedings of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes chaired by Sen. Robin Pa dilla Monday last. As a rookie senator, I did not expect the 2022 Senate topnotcher to preside with aplomb over his first hearing in the Senate as he chaired the panel that will hopefully intro duce amendments/revisions to the fundamental law that several sectors have been ach ingly describing as economi cally restrictive and politically flawed. Padilla, clad in a colorful ci vilian long sleeved shirt instead of the formal coat and tie or barong Tagalog, spoke in pure Filipino (Tagalog) mixed here and there with some English words.He expressed disillusion ment and regret with the physi cal absence of notable resource persons who he expected can contribute to an intelligent dis cussion.Ifitwere the senator whom we know to be a strict and stern chairman handling the panel, that guy would have dressed down the resource speakers in the list who failed to attend. Of course, Padilla did not do such a thing as he was often profusely apologizing for any inconvenience that is beyond his Twocontrol.prominent personali ties - National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos and former NEDA secretary Solita Monsod - were however in attendance and ar ticulated their positions on the matter at Padilla,hand.amovie icon during his heydays, loosely expressed whatever layman’s knowledge he had of the constitution, in jecting jokes as if he were host ing a TV Ideallyshow.speaking - and this not to put down the former “Bad Boy” of Philippine movIes - Sen. Robin is not academically equipped to preside over such a distinct panel where legal ea gles and their ilk are the ones who boldly love to tread. Give him “A” for effort though. Yes, I love the jolly manner he conducted the hear ing and made it quite pleasantly interesting.Unlikeanother senator who is known to have muted lips, Pa dilla is vocally active in senate sessions.Sen.Koko Pimentel was by his right side and was visibly guiding him throughout.
During the Laging Han da public briefing Monday, Ortiz-Luis said he wishes that the agreements related to trade and investments that will be signed during the Chief Executive’s visit in the two nations will bring more investments from Indonesia and Singapore to the Philippines, and will also help more Philippine products to enter these two markets.Hesaid boosting ties with Indonesia and Singa pore is vital for the coun try, the former being the largest market in Southeast Asia and the latter having the highest gross domestic product per capita in the region. “Well, definitely any thing that will improve investments at saka (and)
President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. meets with President Joko Widodo at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java to sign four bilateral agreements, bolstering the Philippines’ and Indonesia’s 73-year partnership. Office of the President
“This institution is unit ed with the President in building and strengthen ing the foundations of our agricultural economy for an even stronger nation al food security. We strive for a more prosperous, cli mate-resilient, and empow ered Filipino countryside,” he said.Co, citing Marcos, also noted that agriculture is a major driver of economic growth and job creation. “The road ahead is dif ficult but surmountable. As the nation embarks on a new chapter of socio-eco nomic transformation, the agriculture sector must re main at the forefront of our collective effort to create more jobs and reduce pov erty, and improve the lives of every Filipino, especially farmers and fishermen,” he said.Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto earlier said the bud get increase should be sup ported because “to beat hunger, a country should not starve its farming sector of funds.”“Youcan say that this is the beginning of the end of a funding drought,” Recto said.
PBBM visits to Indonesia, SG seen to boost trade, investments ties
House Committee on agriculturepercentage“unprecedented”hearing,supplyitpartmentintoMondaychairmanAppropriationsZaldyCoonexpressedsupportthe40-percentincreasethebudgetoftheDeofAgricultureaswouldhelpincreasefoodandreduceprices.DuringthebudgetCodescribedasthehugeincreaseinthesector’sbudget
India has benefitted from the lockdowns in China as well as moves by Western countries to di versify supply sources, ac cording to the Bloomberg report.The Department of Trade and Industry re cently said that the Phil ippines is aiming to move into higher value exports.
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Confederation of the Phil ippines (ECOP) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHIL EXPORT) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis hopes that the visit of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to Indonesia and Singapore will strengthen the country’s economic ties with the two Southeast Asian countries.
from PHP117.29 billion in 2022 to PHP163.75 billion in 2023.“This budget increase should ensure the country’s food security—meaning, as per President Marcos’s directive, local food supply should increase and, by the law of supply and demand, result in lower food prices,” Co said.Cosaid the House also supports President Ferdi nand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the agriculture sector to achieve food security and sufficiency.
India has overtaken the Philippines as the sec ond biggest exporter of Christmas decor to the United States, Bloomberg reported on Monday. India shipped $20 million worth of festi val goods and accesso ries to the US in August, Bloomberg said citing US customs data. This was al most triple the value from a year ago. “In the process, India gained a clear lead over the Philippines as buyers diversify supply sourc es in the face of rising labour costs and disrup tions from China’s strict zero-Covid policy,” the re portChinasaid. is the top ex porter of Christmas decor to the US, but strict COVID lockdowns have affected the Theindustry.South China Morning Post last month said the Chinese city that provides the bulk of the world’s Christmas prod ucts went into a ten-day lockdown that choked economic activity.
House leader supports budget increase for Agri dept in 2023
A1 EDGEDAVAO ECONOMY
PH overtaken by India in Christmas decor exports
involvement of trade will help… At iyang dalawang bayan na iyan ang malak as dito sa Asean, as a mat ter of fact, in the Asean-5. So, importante na kung mayroon pang mga prob lemang nakikita roon sa investment na papunta sa atin at sa mga trade dapat ay ma-cover sana noong agreement (And these two countries are the strongest here in Asean, as a matter of fact, in the Asean-5. So it’s important that if we are seeing some challenges in inbound in vestments and trade, the agreement should cover these),” he Ortiz-Luissaid.added that should the government en ter into an agreement with other countries, it is best that the private sector be consulted on the content of the deal to ensure that the agreement addresses the real challenges experienced by businesses.“Inthepast, madalas nangyayari na pipirma ta pos it doesn’t work dahil hindi naman pala naikon sulta (it often happens that they will sign but it doesn’t work because it was not consulted); and I hope they went through the process,” he said.In his pre-departure speech Sunday, Marcos said his state visit to Indonesia and Singapore this week aims to further explore the potential to improve the Philippines’ trade and in vestment relations with the two Asean countries.
Employers
Depreciation of the Phil ippine peso, which touched the 57-lev el mid-trade and closed at its lowest-ever against the United States dollar, is ex pected to make monetary authorities sustain their ag gressive rate hikes. The local currency again slipped against the green back and finished Monday at 56.999, the new weakest level after finishing at 56.77 last Friday, which breached the previous record low of 56.45 registered on Sept. 27, 2004. “Thus, the new record high of the US dollar/peso exchange rate could poten tially lead to more aggres sive local policy rate hike,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said in a reply to e-mailed questions from the Philip pine News Agency. The local unit contin ues to get a hit from the general strengthening of the greenback, supported by anticipations for contin ued monetary tightening in the US to help address the four-decade high inflation rate.The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) poli cy-making Monetary Board (MB) has increased the central bank’s key rates by a total of 175 basis points since last May as domestic inflation rate continues to accelerate.Todate, the BSP’s over night reverse repurchase (RRP) rate is at 3.75 per cent.The rate of price in creases further rose to 6.4 percent last July from the previous month’s 6.1 per cent.This brought the sev en-month average to 4.7 percent, way above the government’s 2-4 percent targetTheband.MB also hiked its average inflation forecast for this year to 5.4 percent from 5 percent previously. Monetary authorities said the central bank con tinues to have leeway to increase its key policy rates because of the sustained recovery of the domestic economy.
August inflation is within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast of 5.9 to 6.7 percent but still above the government target of 2 to 4 percent. The decrease was at tributed to the slower in crease in prices for trans port at 14.6 percent from 18.1 percent the previ ous month, and food and non-alcoholic beverages which declined to 6.3 per cent from 6.9 percent, Na tional Statistician Dennis MapaHowever,said.
Inflation in August slowed to 6.3 percent from 6.4 percent in July, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority released Tuesday showed.
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The Philippine peso de preciated against the US dollar for the third straight trading day on Mon day to hit a fresh all-time low, given the continued strength of theThegreenback.localcurrency shed 22.9 centavos to close at P56.999:$1 versus last Fri day’s finish of P56.77:$1, its previous record low. It also hit a new intraday record low of P57.00:$1. The weakening of the peso came after officials of the Federal Reserve earli er maintained a hawkish stance, with Chair Jerome Powell hinting of tight monetary policy “for some time” before inflation is placed under “Generallycontrol.stronger US dollar vs. major global currencies recently due to hawkish signals from some Fed officials, especially since the Fed’s yearly Jack son Hole Symposium more than a week ago,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael Ricafort said in a mobileRicafortmessage.also noted em ployment data in the Unit ed States, indicating that the country could still ac commodate further policy tightening moving forward. “Peso also weaker after the new record-high out standing national debt,” he added.The Philippine govern ment’s running debt stock ballooned to a new all-time high of P12.89 trillion, ac cording to data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) over the weekend.
More BSP rate hikes possible as peso weakens: economist
Mapa said there were recorded in creases in other com modity products such as restaurants.“Restaurants, outside the households tumataas na ito, marami kami naki kitang commodity items, commodity groups na tu maas,” Mapa said. (We’re seeing many commodity items, groups withOtherincreases)major contrib utors to inflation for the month include alcoholic beverages and tobacco, housing, health, educa tion services and person al care, data showed.
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Mapa said it remains unclear whether the downward trend will continue. The PSA is con tinuously monitoring the peso and the global fuel prices that could have an impact on local transport inflation. The BSP said the trend is indicative that inflation could remain above tar get for the year before decelerating back to 2 to 4 percent in 2023. “Upside risks continue to dominate the inflation outlook in the near term due to the potential im pact of higher global nonoil prices, the continued shortage in domestic fish supply, the sharp increase in the price of sugar, as well as pending petitions for transport fare in creases.,” BSP Gov. Felipe Medalla“Meanwhile,said. the im pact of a weaker-than-ex pected global econom ic recovery as well as the resurgence of local COVID-19 infections are the main downside risks to the outlook,” he added. The ongoing supply shortages for select items such as sugar are adding pressure to food prices, which take up a huge part of the inflation basket. Global supply chain challenges, as well as the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, have pushed up prices of oil and other commodities.
A vendor displays fresh vegetables at a stall inside Agdao Public Market in Davao City. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has reported inflation in August slowed to 6.3 percent from 6.4 percent in July. Edge Davao DAVAO ECONOMY
Inflation eases slightly to 6.3 percent in August
Peso sinks to new all-time low of P56.999 vs. dollar
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a series of a new start rather than an end, which will lead to many successes. We have, since day one, set our minds on a goal, and moved, tireless ly, towards it. Our goal was: Filipino and Native Language: Tool for Discovery and Cre ation,” Ryan Sultan, a Filipino teacher, said. If the magnificent Ka dayawan sa Davao Festival showcases the thanksgiving over a bountiful harvest and the unity of various tribes, SAIS emphasizes how the characteristics of these tribes connect to its Core Values (LIONS) Leadership, Integrity, Open-Mindedness, Nobility, and Stewardship.
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It’s not every day that you see foreign students wear local native garments. But on the celebration of ‘Buwan Ng Wika’ (National Language Month), they flaunt the tribal wear of Davao’s diverse ethnic culture. To help enhance the stu dents, particularly the for eigners, appreciation and understanding of the Filipino culture, language, history, dances, songs, stories, games, and food, Stockbridge Amer ican International School (SAIS) in Davao City recently celebrated ‘Buwan ng Wika in a Kadayawan sa Davaothemed activity. The Philippines observes the whole month of August as “Buwan ng Wikang Pam bansa” in honor of the com mon language that unites the STUDENTS WEAR ‘TRIBAL’ IN ‘BUWAN NG WIKA’ whole nation. With the theme “Filipino and Native Languages: A tool for Discovery and Creation,” students dressed up in and participated in various activ ities highlighting the culture of the 11 tribes of Davao City namely Ata, Klata, Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, Matigsalog, Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Magu indanaoan, Maranao and the Kagan. As part of the culminating activity, the school set up its version of Tribal Village called “Banwa” (town) showcasing the booths of the following tribes: Taosug, Ovu Manobo, Maranao, and Maguindanao. The school also staged a Philippine National Attire Pa rade highlighting students in their Filipino attire. South African student Lu cretia Naicker had fun wear ing her Filipiniana. “I think it is very differ ent,” she Akikosaid.Shigyo, a parent from Japan is thankful that her kids were given a good op portunity to know how beau tiful and amazing the Filipino culture“Weis.think of the future as
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The Philippines is on track to be the next hyperscaler hub in the Asia Pacific
As the Philippines is gearing to be the next hyperscaler hub in the Asia-Pacific region, many opportu nities for investments and partnerships await the hyperscaler and data center firms who want to invest in the country, especially from the companies in Hong Kong and China. The promising pros pect and competitive ad vantage of the Philippines as the next investment destination for the hy perscaler and data center industry were highlighted during a webinar held by the Board of Investments (BOI), through its Inter national Investments Pro motions Service (IIPS), and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Hong Kong on August 24, 2022.In the event, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pas cual underscored that the Philippines is ready to be the next hyperscaler hub in the Asia Pacific. “We believe that the hyper scalers industry will be the next growth engine of the Philippines. We are keen on helping hyper scalers cloud services and start-up ecosystem in the Philippines,” he said. “We hope that you find these opportunities as promising as we do with your trust and passion. Let us make hyperscaler investments and partner ships happen in the Phil ippines,” Secretary Pas cualAlso,emphasized.Mr.Victor Ali walas, VP and Technolo gy Management Advisor of the PLDT Enterprise, shared his thoughts about the Philippine data center market. According to him, the country is ripe for dig ital and bullish growth prospects. In 2022, the Philippines is expected to lead the technology spending growth in Asia, ahead of Vietnam and Ma laysia. Mr. Aliwalas also highlighted the Jupiter Cable System, the newest trans-Pacific cable facil ity connecting the Phil ippines to the USA and Japan. With a network distance of 14,866 kilo meters, it is the fastest cable system between the Philippines and the US with 126ms latency between Daet, Camarines Norte, and Los Angeles, California. Other officials who pitched for the country’s standing as the next hy perscaler hub was Con sul General in Hong Kong Raly L. Tejada, who high lighted the growing data center capability of the Philippines. While Un dersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba of the DTI – Com petitiveness and Innova tion Group presented the value proposition of the Philippines for the hy perscalers as well as the numerous government initiatives for the firms. According to Under secretary Aldaba, the Philippines has a thriv ing digital economy land scape with strong macro economic fundamentals that will continue to at tract positive investment prospects. Also, she men tioned that the Philip pines is an early adapter of 5G technology in the Asia Pacific, according to Moody’s, along with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Ma laysia. Undersecretary Alda ba also pointed out that the Philippines has a “de mographic sweet spot” because of its rich talent pool of 46.5 million work forces, and the country is producing an average of 750,000 graduates annu ally. With the amended PSA, the official said, the government is allowing 100 percent foreign own ership in the (ICT)municationsInformationstateaJohn(DICT)municationsofporteddustry.telecommunicationscountry’sinTheeventwassupbyDepartmentInformationandComTechnologySecretaryIvanE.Uy,whodeliveredpresentationontheanddirectionoftheandComTechnologyinfrastructurein the Philippines, and by the Department of Energy (DOE) – Renewable Ener gy Management Bureau Director Mylene Capong col who presented the government’s plans and commitment to develop ing the renewable energy sector, which would also support the growing data center industry in the country.Meanwhile, the Phil ippines as a high potential market was attested by two of the leading hyper scaler companies in Hong Kong and China. Mr. Paul Lai, Senior Vice President, In-Coun try Project Investment of HGC Global Communica tions, Ltd., and Mr. Allen Guo, Country Manager of the Alibaba Cloud Intelli gence – Philippines, both affirmed the country’s readiness as an ideal in vestment location, cit ing its resilient economy amid the pandemic, its “welcoming regulatory environment”, particu larly with the passage of the amended Public Ser vice Act (PSA) and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enter prises (CREATE) Act, cou pled with the Philippine businesses increasingly relying on cloud-based IT solutions for growth. Executive Director Evariste M. Cagatan of the BOI’s Investments Promo tion Services (IPS) deliv ered the closing message at the end of the webinar and emphasized that the country “has a bullish economic growth trajec tory” to host hyperscaler and data center opera tions, as the government has been aggressively promoting the Philip pines with its competitive advantage.“Weacknowledge the support of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and HGC Global Communications Limited, both of whom already made it happen in the Philippines. They have generously shared their positive experience. With the likes of Alibaba and HGC Global that in vested in the country and many others that have signified their interest in the field and further ex pand their footprint, the Philippines is now posi tioned to be the next hy perscaler hub in the Asia Pacific,” the BOI official concluded.
BingoPlus continued to fulfill its mission of bringing joy and enter tainment to Filipinos as it threw its support behind the Gilas Pilipinas team during its recent game against Saudi Arabia. BingoPlus livened up the half-time break with a raffle draw where lucky ticket stub holders in the arena audience won huge prizes totaling P50,000 pesos.BingoPlus, a partner of the Philippine Basket ball Association (PBA) and the Maharlika Pili pinas Basketball League (MPBL), supported Gi las Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers through its audience pep-up activity to “push on and celebrate the Pi noy passion for basket ball”.“BingoPlus is pas sionate about enter taining and providing high-value experiences to Filipino audiences. By supporting Gilas Pilipi nas and our other bas ketball involvements, we acknowledge and nurture the pure love of basketball that is a great part of our Filipino cul ture,” said Jasper Vicen cio, AB Leisure Expo nent Inc. president, the company that launched the Bingo Plus brand. “We are here to push on our “Mabuhay spirit,” he added.
BingoPlus spreads joy with big-time raffle at Gilas game
The Davao City Council honored the AAK (Associ ation for the Advance ment of Karatedo) Davao City Chapter af ter winning two silver medals in the recent 2022 Thailand Open Karatedo Champion ships.OnTuesday’s September 6, 2022 session held at the Sang guniang Panglungsod build ing, first district Councilor Tek Ocampo hailed AAK Davao’s performance in the recent in ternational tournament which saw 20-year old Julian Ambrose Ramirez and 18-year old Ste phen James Cartagena win silver medals in the Kumite category. Ocampo likewise recognized the efforts of AAK Davao’s grass roots development program of sending young karatekas to re gional, national and internation al competitions.Ramirezand Cartagena were present on Tuesday’s session
Also in photo are AAK Davao chief instructor and Karate Pilipinas regional director Rommel Tan, Karate Pilipi nas city director Jerson Tamayo and Davao City Sports Council President Dexter So. (AAK Davao photo) along with AAK Davao chief in structor and Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation Incorporated regional director Rommel Tan, Karate Pilipinas Sports Fed eration karatedo city director Jerson Tamayo and Davao City Sports Council president Dexter So. “We are happy and honored that the Davao City Council ap preciated our efforts during the competition. It will inspire the younger generation to double their efforts and achieve more,” Tan said.
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KARATEKASSPORTS
City Council fetes AAK karatekas after victorious Thailand stint AAK Davao’s silver medal achievers in the recent 2022 Thailand Open Karatedo Championships Julian Ambrose Ramirez and Stephen James Cartagena pay a courtesy call to City Councilor Tek Ocampo.
