Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 226 | Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

National Telecommunications Commission 11 (NTC 11) director Nelson Cañete (left) visits a subscriber identity module (SIM) card registration counter at a mall in Ecoland, Davao City on Monday. Cañete bared that starting February 1, the agency will visit telco sales and service outlets in line with the SIM card registration. Lean Daval Jr.

SABONG IS BACK

City government allows resumption of gamefowl operations in Davao City

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The city government of Davao has allowed the resumption of gamefowl activities or more popularly known as ‘sabong’ in Davao City but reminded that operators have to secure permits.

“Sabong has always been a part of Filipino culture. It is a practice regulated by the government and we expect to earn revenues from it. Now that it is back, there will be stricter measures to monitor its operations,” Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. said in a text message.

Quitain also cited the amendments that were passed last year that enable the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to monitor or collect the right amount of taxes or fees from the sabong operators.

“May amendments na (pinasa) last year so that the city treasurer will be

able to monitor or collect the right amount of taxes or fees. Very technical in the sense sa monitoring/ collection ng mga taxes/ fees. What I know is the one operating now has a permit already,” he said.

On January 8, 2023, the New Davao Matina Gallera resumed operations two years after it was ordered temporarily closed by former Mayor Sara Duterte.

The reopening was announced on the New Davao Matina Gallera Facebook Page.

The page shared photos of the long queue of bettors and audience waiting outside the said arena. There are also photos showing inside the arena which was almost full of spectators.

It also posted an apology to those who queued up long during the first day.

“Pasensya kaayo sa mga nagpila ug taas. First day pa ta nag open ug nabagohan pa sa systema sa online system sa gate. Paningkamutan namo sa sunod na mapaspas na ato pagFSABONG, P10

Indonesian, 2 Pinoys arrested in possession of high-powered guns in Sarangani: PNP 12

An Indonesian and his two Filipino companions were arrested for possession of alleged unlicensed high-powered firearms in Kiamba, Sarangani, the police announced on Sunday.

Police Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office -12 director, said the

suspects were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Nalus on Saturday.

Elements of the 1st Platoon, 1204th Mobile Company under the Regional Mobile Force Battalion -12 were conducting a checkpoint and saw suspicious trolley bags aboard the tricycle the trio were riding.

Upon questioning, the police team observed that 29-year-old Indonesian Anton Gobay, single, became uneasy.

After further inspection, the team discovered they were transporting 10 units of Colt AR-19 9mm para rifle, 20 pieces of steel magazines and 10 pieces

of detachable rifle butts, Macaraeg said.

Police identified Gobay’s Filipino companions as Michael Tino, 25, married, of Barangay Malalag in Maitum, Sarangani, and Jimmy Abolde, 52, of Purok Zoneza Saway, Barangay Labangal in General Santos

Davao City to host largest travel expo in Mindanao

Mindanao is all set and ready for the big time in 2023 as the destinations in the region converge in its largest travel and tourism event, the first Mindanao Travel Expo 2023, slated on January 27 to 29 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, Davao City.

The expo will feature booths and exhibitions from the Department of Tourism regional offices, local government units and tour operators from all over the country, airline and transportation companies, tourism establishments and properties, food providers, and allied services.

The Mindanao Travel Expo will also showcase a wide range of activities, including learning sessions (such as product updates by Mindanao regions and sponsors), business-to-business and business-to-customers meetings, and travel exchange to various tourism circuits around Mindanao.

With Davao Region registering a total of 1,048,245 arrivals in the first semester of 2022, 73.62% higher than that of 2021, indicates a very good sign that tourism is truly bouncing back.

“The Mindanao Travel

Expo 2023 is our way of sustaining this momentum and in keeping with our strategic direction to restart tourism by supporting our stakeholders and promoting Mindanao regions as safe and fun destinations,” said DOT Xl Regional Director Tanya Rabat.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has stated that Mindanao has some of the most beautiful destinations in the country but continues to be facing various challenges, which hampers its full development.

Frasco said the DOT will “reach out to this region, to exert the services, the talents, the expertise of the members of the Department to ensure that they receive the appropriate training, promotion and marketability that they should have and will have moving forward.

“

The Mindanao Travel Expo 2023 is a project of the DOT XI in partnership with the Davao Visitors Destination Hub, Inc, DOT Mindanao Regional Offices, DOT - Office of Product and Market Development, DOT - Office of the Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination and Resource Generation. DOT 11

Vice President Sara Duterte, together with Senator Imee Marcos, graces the opening ceremony of Minasa Festival in Bustos, Bulacan. FB page of Inday Sara Duterte

NTC 11 to visit telco sales outlets to monitor SIM card registration

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Close to 600 generals, colonels filed resignation: police chief

Close to 600 ranking police officers have filed their courtesy resignations so far in answer to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos’ appeal, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Monday.

“As of yesterday, we were able to account more or less 500 to close to 600, as reported ng mga different regions, different units namin,” Azurin said in a press briefing.

“Bale, ‘yung iba dito is enroute na papunta dito sa national headquarters because sila ang magko-collate lahat and then ipapasa ‘yan doon sa fiveman committee that will be formed by no less than our commander-in-chief,” he added.

(Some of them are enroute here to our national headquarters because they will collate everything and these will be passed to our five-man committee that will be formed by no less than our commander-in-chief.)

Last week, Abalos appealed to police generals and full colonels to submit

their courtesy resignation as part of the government’s efforts to rid the police force of officers involved in the illegal drug trade.

According to Azurin, the PNP is still expecting to receive around 456 resignations. He said they are expecting a total of 956 officials to file their courtesy resignations.

Meanwhile, asked if he will still be included in the investigation after his retirement in April this year, Azurin said, “Definitely.”

“Definitely, hangga’t hindi ako na-clear [as long as I am not cleared],” he said.

5-member panel

A five-member committee will be formed the screen the resignation and this would include Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a retired police general.

“As to the other members, I am not yet privy or I do not have any idea kung natawagan na sila at in-accept na sila [if they’ve already been informed or if they’ve accepted the offer],” Azurin said.

The regional office of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC 11) announced on Monday their scheduled visits to telco sales and service outlets in Davao Region in line with the ongoing Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registration starting February 1, 2023.

of NTC 11 during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday.

It has been 13 days since the start of the nationwide SIM card registration.

He said on the 10th day there were 15 million subscribers registered from the three telcos namely Smart, Globe, and DITO.

NTC is targeting to register 180 million SIM cards.

He also reiterated his

reminder to the public of the deadline for SIM card registration on June 27, 2023, or face deactivation.

This is in line with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the SIM Card Registration Act on December 12, 2022, which aims to protect consumers from illegal activities such as scams, smishing, and other kinds of mobile phone and online fraud.

TF Davao says 2022 mission ‘went well’

Task Force Davao commander Colonel Darren Comia said on Monday that the agency’s mission for 2022 “went well.”

The year 2022 for TF Davao was highlighted by intensified border control, which resulted in the confiscations of illegal drugs and contraband intended to be smuggled to the city as well as the apprehensions of individuals.

Comia reported over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday that from the middle of 2021 up to present, TF Davao confiscated P16 million worth of illegal drugs and appre-

hended a total of 185 individuals.

He also said that TF Davao confiscated firearms and apprehended 113 individuals.

“Ito ay patunay na pinaghigpit na border control points kung saan nasala natin ang lahat ng kontrabando na pumapasok dito sa Davao City,” he said.

TF Davao also conducted an anti-terrorism forum last year that aims to propagate the Culture of Security campaign.

“Kasama ng ibat ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno masasabi nating indeed the Culture of Security in Davao

City is alive because of so many reports that we received coming from the Dabawenyos. Marami tayong anti-terrorism forum na halos lahat ng sector ay ating pinuntahan at kinausap katulad ng sa vendors, stall owners sa Roxas Nigth Market, transport sector, religious sector, hotels, malls, and other big companies at hiniling ang tulong nila sa pag maintain ng peace, security, and order and for the propagation and advocacy of the Culture of Security,” he said.

TF Davao also executed Executive Order No. 62 or “an order adopting the

integrated response on terrorism plan (USAHAY II) of Task Force Davao and activating the joint security forces cluster in the event of terror attacks,” which was signed by former Mayor Sara Duterte.

“Kung saan for four consecutive quarters nakagawa tayo ng different scenarios para magkaroon ng muscle memory ang ating mga kasamahan hindi lang ang TF Davao pati ang ang ating kasamahan sa security force sa Davao City. we have four simulation exercises last year at ang pang lima ay December last year,” he said. By Maya M. Padillo

Task Force Davao (TF Davao) commander Colonel Darren Comia reports the accomplishments of TF Davao for the year 2022. He also discussed the organization’s plans and programs for this year. Lean Daval Jr.

“We will visit on a regional basis sa mga tax sites sa mga telcos starting February 1. Si Smart nagsugod na. Starting February 1 mag

start mi ug visitation para tagaan sila ug moral support as the frontliners in the SIM card registration,” said director Nelson Cañete

81% of Filipinos interested in entrepreneurship: survey

At least 81 percent of Filipinos are willing to go into business, GO Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said, citing a survey by OCTA Research.

Majority of the businesses in the country are made up of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. MSMEs also account for over 62 percent of job generation in the country, Concepcion said in a statement.

“I am glad that the work we have done for the last 17 years continues to bear fruit... It is so important to

build the MSME’s optimism and the willingness to engage in the economy,” Concepcion said.

Filipinos are interested in opening a business “granting that they had enough knowhow to do so,” Prof. Ranjit Rye of OCTA Research said, citing the survey which was conducted in October 2022 that en-

gaged 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above.

In terms of socioeconomic classes, those belonging to classes ABC and D have an interest of about 80 percent while class E has an interest of 74 percent, the survey said.

Concepcion said the survey showed that Filipinos are aware of the group’s programs to boost entrepreneurial mindset.

He said mentoring, access to markets and money or capital could help Filipinos who are interested to

go into business and generate more income as well as jobs.

“By providing access to the three M’s essential in successful entrepreneurship...we can increase the number of Filipinos who can build successful businesses, and in turn employ more of our countrymen,” he said.

Concepcion, who was previously the Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship under former President Rodrigo Duterte, is

Flexible working hours help worklife balance, productivity: ILO

Shorter workdays and more flexible work schedules, like those utilized during the Covid-19 pandemic, can benefit economies, enterprises and workers as well as pave the way for a better and healthier work-life balance, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said Friday.

Analyzing different working-time arrangements and their effects on work-life balance, including shift work, on-call work,

compressed hours and hours-averaging schemes, ILO’s Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around the World report found that these flexible schedules provide “better family life.”

“There is a substantial amount of evidence that work–life balance policies provide significant benefits to enterprises, supporting the argument that such policies are a ‘win-win’ for both employers and employees,” the report said.

It underlined that coronavirus measures showed that giving workers more flexibility in how, where and when they work can be positive both for them and for business, improving productivity.

Contrarily, limiting flexibility brings substantial costs, including increased staff turnover, it added.

“The so-called ‘Great Resignation’ phenomenon has placed work-life balance at the forefront of social and labour market is-

sues in the post-pandemic world,” said Jon Messenger, lead author of the report, citing an ongoing economic trend in which employees have voluntarily resigned from their jobs since the beginning of the pandemic.

Messenger added: “This report shows that if we apply some of the lessons of the Covid-19 crisis and look very carefully at the way working hours are structured, as well as their overall length, we can cre-

PH’s GIR level at $96B as of end December: BSP

The country’s gross international reserves (GIR) level rose to $96 billion as of the end of December 2022 from $95.1 billion the previous month, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed.

“The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected mainly the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP)

net foreign exchange operations, the upward valuation adjustments in the value of BSP’s gold holdings due to the increase in the price of gold in the international market, and net income from the BSP’s investments abroad,” the central bank said in a statement.

DA says seeking ways to help farmers reduce onion prices

The Department of Agriculture on Monday said it would continue working with farmers to find ways to reduce the escalated prices of onions.

Onion prices in the market remain high, selling for about P500 to P600 per kilo from a high of P700, Department of Agriculture Spokesperson Asec. Kristine Evangelista.

This is mainly due to higher farmgate prices, Evangelista said.

“Yan po ang isa sa ating ikinababahala kaya tayo po ay patuloy na makiki-

pagugnayan sa ating mga farmers kasi farmgate pa rin po ang sinasabi ng ating mga tindera, mahal daw po ang bagsak sa kanila. Kailangan po natin matulungan ang mga magsasaka na ibaba ito,” she said.

(That’s what we’re concerned about that’s why we’re coordinating with the farmers since farmgate prices are the reason cited by vendors that causing high prices. We need to help farmers lower their prices)

Evangelista said there

Cherry Mae Santos, revenue officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office No. 113-A West Davao, discusses during this week’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao the agency’s citizen’s charter and estate tax amnesty. Lean Daval Jr.

PH gov’t bats for inclusive economic growth: NEDA

Philippine Econo-

The setting up of a liquid steel plant as a result of the agreement recently signed by the Philippines and China will help revive the country’s steel industry, according to Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime FlorCruz.

“Kung titingnan po natin iyong 14 agreements, nakikita po naman natin na mukhang solid naman ang mga proyekto na nasa table ngayon. Halimbawa po, iyong agreement ng Baowu Steel at SteelAsia,” FlorCruz said at a media forum in Quezon City.

(If we check the 14 agreements, we can see some solid projects on the table. One example is the agreement between Baowu Steel and SteelAsia.)

“Ang ini-expect po natin ay magpapasok ng 1.5 to 2 billion dollar investment para magtayo ng unang-unang liquid steel plant,” the envoy added.

(We are expecting this to pour in 1.5 to 2 billion dollars of investment to

set up the first liquid steel plant.)

“So ang plano pong ito ay mag-uumpisa iyong ating steel industry. Kasi kung wala tayong steel industry na sarili, iyong manufacturing natin, lalo lagi tayong reliant on imports.”

(So this plan will start our steel industry. Because if we don’t have one, our manufacturing sector will always be reliant on imports.)

He said the project is expected to generate 2,000 to 3,000 jobs.

Fourteen bilateral deals were signed during President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s state visit to China from January 3 to 5, including investment pledges worth $22 billion.

These deals were in the sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, development cooperation, maritime security, and tourism, among others.

Flor Cruz said the bilateral deals are aligned with

This means the economic growth must come with better jobs to improve the lives of Filipinos including the poor, Balisacan said.

“We have outlined in our Philippine Economy Development Plan, an economy that is beneficial for all

Filipinos. What that means is that growth is accompanied by generation of better and higher quality jobs, not just more jobs but most importantly better and higher quality jobs,” Balisacan said.

“The growth has to be inclusive, associated with

improvement in the quality of jobs and low inflation and that way we can raise everybody’s welfare,” he added.

He said the plan also includes addressing current headwinds such as elevated inflation that’s hurting the poorest sectors.

Inflation in December reached 8.1 percent due to the higher prices of vegetables including onions. Vegetable inflation reached 32.4 percent for the month, the highest since February 1999.

Among the targets outlined in the recent Philippine Economy Development Plan are:

• An annual GDP growth of 6.5 to 8 percent from 2024 to 2028

• PH to be ranked among top 33 in the global competitiveness index by 2028 (#45 in 2019)

• Lower unemployment rate of 5.3 percent to 6.4 percent in 2024, 4.5 to 5 percent from 2026 to 2028

• Gross national income

Agri dept eyes importation to end rising onion prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday advised importing 22,000 metric tons of onions to end the continuous rise in prices in public markets.

“Tutuldukan na natin ito through importation... Hindi man magandang pakinggan, pero kailangan natin,” DA deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez said.

Estoperez added that the 22,000 metric tons must arrive before the peak harvest that will start in March.

“Dapat dumating ang mga aangkating sibuyas sa unang linggo ng Pebrero o huling linggo ng Enero para mapababa ang presyo ng sibuyas,” he said.

Estoperez said the DA was trying to balance con-

sumer demand with the welfare of producers.

“Sa Nueva Ecija may puti at pulang sibuyas na nasa 200 pesos per kilo pero mga reject o maliliit. Hindi talaga bumababa ang presyo sa farm gate price,” he explained.

“Batay sa sitwasyon sa Nueva Ecija at Tarlac, may mga standing crops pa sila na magpi-peak ng February

at March. Ang pangangailangan muna natin for the month, ang estimate namin ay mga 22,000 metric tons.”

Based on the DA’s recommendation, 25% of the imported onions would be brought to Mindanao, 25% to Visayas, and 50% to Luzon. Of that 50%, 10% will be white onions.

“Nung ginagawang

The

newly released

my Development Plan aims to foster growth that’s inclusive and will benefit every Filipino, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Monday.

A staff member of a telecommunications company assists a subscriber register a subscriber identity module (SIM) card at a mall in Ecoland, Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

PH-China pact to help revive local steel industry — envoy

OLIVIA

JOCELYN S. PANES

“Sabong has always been a part of

culture. It is a practice regulated by the

and we expect to earn revenues from it. Now that it is back, there will be stricter measures to monitor its operations.”

The first private firm in the region to get a license to install, operate, and maintain a telephone system in Davao Province was Davao Telephone Company (DTC). Passed by the Sen-ate and House of Representatives, its franchise was approved on November 28, 1931, by American governor-general Dwight F. Davis under Act No. 3913.

Created in accord with Act No. 3108, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved on March 19, 1923, the DTC was granted a 50-year corporate lifespan, subject to the right and privilege ‘to construct, maintain and operate’ in Davao town and adjacent municipalities and municipal districts’ and to install a telephone system in the province ‘to carry on the business of the electrical transmission of conversations and signals.’

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

In detail, the statute specifies and authorizes the company (i) ‘to use all municipal and provincial roads, streets, and public thoroughfares for the construction, maintenance, and operation of all apparatus, conductors, and appliances necessary for the electrical transmis-sion of conversations and signals,’(ii) ‘to erect poles, string wires, build conduits, lay cables,’ and (iii) ‘to construct, maintain, and use such other approved and generally accepted means of electrical conduction in, on, over, or under the public roads, highways, lands, bridges, streets, lanes, and sidewalks and overhead or underground lines or on the surface of the ground.’

Back then, franchise laws had very detailed parameters on which a license was granted; it was also about how and where to mount the installations. Un-

DAVAO TELEPHONE COMPANY

der Act 3913, the company was required to erect poles, including their heights, and conduits in places chosen by the province or town, with the condition that these did not disfigure the streets, the wires and underground cables follow the standards set by the Public Service Commission. The same law mandates that clusters of wires and conductors are placed on poles or buried underground.

There are also oddities in the DTC franchise that can get the attention of today’s observ-ers, such as the legality of making excavations or laying conduits in public places, which were subject to certain conditions if these activities result in disturbance, alteration, or change, repairs and restoration must be done to the satisfaction of the provincial engineer and to leave them in good

HERMAN TIU LAUREL PHIL-CHINA WATCH

condition as they were prior to the works.

Another interesting section of the statute is the provision that the devices and accessories employed by the grantee ‘shall be modern and first class in every respect, and all telephone lines or installations used, maintained and operated,… shall be kept and maintained at all times in a satisfactory manner, so as to render an efficient and adequate telephone service, and… to modify, improve, and change such telephone system for the electrical transmission of conversations and signals by means of electricity in such manner and to such extent as the progress of science and improvements in the method of electrical transmission of conversa-tions and signals by means of electricity may make reasonable and proper.’

The prewar high standards set by Congress before a franchise was granted are quite im-pressive given the kind of services that telco companies extend to subscribers today. Better still, the statute clearly defines that the rights granted to the franchisee are not exclusive. In case of a takeover, the poles, wires and conduits installed by the previous telephone licensee, including the electrical transmissions of messages and signals owned by a previous grantee, are not to be removed so ‘as not to impair the efficient and effective transmission of conversa-tions or signals’ under the regime of the new franchisee.

In today’s technologically advanced wireless telephone system, the rules of the game have dramatically changed, and the concept of telephony has become strictly borderless.

Last Jan. 7, 2022, the Asian Century Philippine Strategic Studies Institute Inc. (ACPSSII) co-sponsored with the Kamuning Bakery Café and the Manila Times, a webinar on the “PBBM sate visit to China: Impact on the Philippines’ economy and future”

Speaking in the webinar were: Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries Inc. (FFCCCII) president Henry Lim Bonliong representing up to 10,000 full range of giant to small Filipino-Chinese businesses in the country.

Civic and philanthropic leader Sixto “Noy” Benedicto, president of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding (APCU) -- established in 1974 -- and a silent but key and instrumental factor in President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos’s diplomatic initiative with China formalizing diplomatic relations in 1975;

Dr. Aaron “Jed” Rabena, research fellow of the Asia Pathways to Progress Foundation Inc. (APPFI) and Prof. Anna Malindog-Uy, external vice-president of the ACPSSII. It was moderated by Wilson Lee Flores, director of the APCU and empresario of the premier media forum lace Kamuning Bakery Café who also spoke as one of the presidential delegation participant.

Last but not least of all yours truly Herman Tiu Laurel as panel reactor to the presentations and devil’s advocate to the discussion, presenting the more critical and challenging aspects of the issue at hand -- what PBBM has

PBBM STATE VISIT: WALKING THE TALK

to do now returning from the smashing success of a state visit to China which rolled out the full honors for the Philippines’ chief representative to the world trumpets blaring, 21-gun salute roaring, honor guards galore.

I wrote down my reactions entitled “Impact of the PBBM State Visit to China”:

“After observing the spectacular welcome President Xi Jinping staged for President Bongbong Marcos as its first state visitor in 2023 with the clear purpose of showing the Filipino people and the world the utmost priority China is giving the Philippines among its relations in the global community;

And after witnessing the unmistakable intention of President Bongbong Marcos of making China as his administration’s first foreign, official state visit outside of ASEAN, that is to put relations with the People’s Republic of China, the primus inter pares among nations of Asia, as his top foreign relations focus;

President Bongbong Marcos has now shown his firm resolution to continue the constitutional ‘independent foreign policy’ principle and practice reincarnated by his predecessor President Rodrigo R. Duterte, pursued by PBBM’s father President Ferdinand E. Marcos and prescribed by the First Philippine Republic’s first foreign minister Apolinario Mabini.

PBBM’s historic first state visit outside of ASEAN to China also gave due respect not only to ASEAN centrality but also carry-

ing forward the Asian Moment that was 2022 that culminated in three global summits held in ASEAN and Asia in November, which PBBM now resumes in 2023 with the visit to China.

This visit was another historic step in the march of the Philippines towards the Asian Century and into the vision of a world of ‘Forever Peace and Prosperity’ and away from 500 years of ‘forever wars’ that the West brought to Asia and the world. Now, in the spirit of the ‘strongest partnership’ the Philippines can truly build its new society of prosperity in a region of harmony and stability.

The remaining question as President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. returns to the Philippines is, ‘What actions will President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. take to fulfill the rich symbolisms of his state visit to China.’ There are bold moves to make to materialize the historic symbolisms such as:

-- Ending the dalliances with the Western imperialist powers,

-- Ending the sabotage of the Philippines’ economic, political and geopolitical blossoming by the West’s Fifth Column in the Philippine polity,

-- The full and uninterrupted commitment to the ‘comprehensive strategic cooperation’ with the engine of development of the world,

-- Solidarity with the ASEAN majority to exclude outside powers from the South China Sea

All these will begin with the fast-tracking of the Philip-

pine-China 60/40 oil-gas joint venture which is only being held back by the monumental obstructionism of a Western-led transnational oil consortium, as well as the disciplining of the foreign affairs and security bureaucracies from diverging from official government foreign policies. Thank you.”

President BBM came home to a host of problems, very urgent problems. I won’t be surprised if the euphoria and promise of the successful state visit would quickly wear off and swiftly get lost in the noises of the domestic situation facing the NAIA systems crash and the Black Nazarene PNP mobilization. Undeterred focus on the economic cooperation with China will be the unerring guiding light through all these.

In the surveys of the entire 2022 to December, the highest concerns of Filipinos has always been high prices or inflation, jobs and livelihood, corruption, poverty, education and everything concerning the material well-being of the Filipino family. Published on Dec. 16, 2022 the survey found:

Majority of Filipinos believe that the Philippine economy is the most important issue that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. should focus on PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. covered a total of 1,500 female and male Filipino respondents showed that at least 25 percent of Filipinos are most concerned.

This was followed by prices of goods and inflation which had a rating of 16 percent, climb-

ing from 11 percent in the third quarter of 2022.

Meanwhile, the Strabase ADR Institute commissioned Pulse Asia to do a survey that found out that in the surveys of the entire 2022 to December, the highest concerns of Filipinos has always been high prices or inflation, jobs and livelihood, corruption, poverty, education, and everything concerning the material well-being of the Filipino family. Published on Dec. 16, 2022 the survey found: Those security issues out of 16 “most urgent national concerns” ranked No. 15 with 3 percent (repeat, 3 percent only) of 1,200 survey respondents saying it is of immediate concern, but Stratbase media reports presents only the security angle to highlight so-called support for the security arrangements with the US and its allies.

For the Filipino respondents, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. should also focus on the following issues: corruption (11 percent), jobs (11 percent), poverty (10 percent), education (6 percent), wages (5 percent), peace and order or crime (4 percent), illegal drugs (3 percent), and environment (2 percent). Nowhere in the report of the survey did it show that Filipinos are worried about China and the so-called West Philippine Sea.

Who was it who said that running the Philippines is much, much more difficult than running the United States of America, or today running the vast country of China.

TRAVEL

REIGNITE THE MAGIC : A BRAND-NEW DISNEY MAGIC AWAITS YOU IN HONG KONG

park’s most popular attractions. Brand-new Disney magic awaits– The Castle of Magical Dreams reimagined Be enchanted by the reimagined Castle of Magical

Dreams—home to a fully refreshed “Follow Your Dreams” daytime musical stage show and the all-new nighttime spectacular “Momentous.” Watch in awe as it sets the evening ablaze with breathtaking delights that wrap up a truly unforgettable day!

With the easing of the pandemic curbs and travel requirements, Inbound passengers may now explore and enjoy Hong Kong quarantine-free and without test on arrival at the airport. Nevertheless, negative RAT results taken 24 hours prior departure are still required to be reported in the Electronic Health Declaration Card.

This also means the kids and kids at heart all the way from the Philippines can finally go back and experience the magical world of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. More surprises will come your way in the happiest place on earth with an even more fun-filled experience, “Reignite the Magic” Combo: 1-Day Park Ticket and “Disney Premier Access” enabling priority access to some of the

As the resort celebrates its 15th Anniversary, its shining beacon which is the castle was launched in 2020 which went into a grand transformation– the very first in Disney history. Inspired by the unique characteristics of the 13 Disney princesses and queens.

Within the castle is the “Enchanted Treasures,” the first-ever Castle of Magical Dreams Chow Tai Fook Jewelry store where artisans from the popular jeweler Chow Tai Fook have been appointed as Royal Jeweler for all of the kingdom’s magnificent keepsakes and treasures.

First-of-its-kind live outdoor musical party: “Follow Your Dreams”

Along with the transformation, is the debut of a brand-new song “Follow Your Dreams” performed in a 20-minute live outdoor mu-

sical filled with high-energy music and live singing. Infused with the trademark uplifting spirit of a Disney tune, this song also reminds guests how fulfilling it is to pursue dreams and to never give up.

The Most Magical Show on Earth: “Momentous”

Be mesmerized with the all-new nighttime spectacular, “Momentous”, Hong Kong’s greatest evening experience! This much-anticipated show—filled with magic and light—illuminates the night sky with nearly 20 minutes of music and memorable moments, all wrapped up in one monumental journey.

An amazing theatrical show that reminds us just how precious time is and to cherish every moment with our loved ones.

Meet and greet with Disney Friends once more Along with Mickey

Mouse and friends, Pixar and Marvel Superheroes, you will get to meet and greet with Disney’s newest pal, the lovable fox LinaBell.

2023 surely is bound to be a magical and memorable year with a rich line-up of immersive activities and seasonal events at the resort, from celebrating the 100th anniversary of Disney to the long-awaited opening of the first-ever Frozen-themed land in the world, World of Frozen, in the second half of 2023. What’s more, a brandnew Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue will be unveiled the same year.

For ticket purchases and hotel room offers, you may check out HKDR’s partner online stores or seek assistance from Funtastic Travel & Tours Inc. at https://ww.facebook. com/FuntasticTravelandToursPH

The wait is now over as Hong Kong finally opens its doors to more tourists this year!

EDGEDAVAO COMPETITIVE EDGE

Holcim ramps up digitalization, nears Plants of Tomorrow goal

A drone hovers inside a 31-foot silo of Holcim Philippines’ plant in Bacnotan, La Union to inspect it as part of the site’s regular maintenance activities. The drone’s operator takes notes of the maintenance actions to be taken. The activity is done in a few minutes.

Using drones for this task has eliminated health and safety risks from having people conduct visual inspections in remote spaces. The drone also allows for higher frequency of checks and reduces equipment downtimes required for such inspections.

The use of drones is one of several digitalization ini-

tiatives that leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines has undertaken. The company has accelerated these efforts as part of its innovation drive to raise business, safety and environmental performance to further improve efficiency and safety of manufacturing operations.

In 2022, Holcim Philippines implemented over 70 projects to raise manufacturing performance through automation technologies under the Holcim Group’s Plants of Tomorrow program. Focused on automating production processes and predictive maintenance, the Philippine projects are

designed to generate optimization gains and savings.

Holcim Philippines President and CEO Horia Adrian: “Digitalization is a key part of our innovation and sustainability direction to further make operations safer, more efficient and respectful of the environment. We have already realized a number of gains from these initiatives and excited to accelerate our transition to digitalizing our plants to better serve customers and ultimately deliver excellent business results.”

A key Plants of Tomorrow initiative is the use of artificial intelligence for data-driven decision-making

in operations. Already, sensors have been installed in key equipment to provide operators real-time data to guide them in keeping these running within parameters. Stable operations in turn improves plant production and ability to utilize low-carbon alternative while also reducing equipment wear and tear.

Holcim Philippines is also following the same approach in maintaining facilities with a software that projects the state of equipment for 90-day periods based on data provided by sensors. The information is critical in helping the company plan maintenance ac-

tivities and conduct early intervention to prevent operational disruptions.

Furthermore, the company is deploying predictive tools in ensuring product quality with a software that projects the strength development of its cement for different time periods. This enables the company to make adjustments on its products faster instead of waiting for several days to implement tweaks.

Holcim Philippines is even using digitalization to simplify daily meetings with a software that consolidates information from different areas of operations. This removes the need to open

numerous applications and preparation of reports allowing plant personnel to focus on implementing actions.

Holcim Philippines Senior Vice President for Cement Industrial Performance Eung Rae Kim: “We are very proud of our people for quickly adopting to of our digitalization direction. Upon seeing the benefits for the plants and the simplification of their job, our people immediately embraced this shift and are actively looking for ways to apply digitalization in other areas.”

The company also uses its drones for material sur-

SAP, Globe share how technology helps ensure sustainable future

Nowadays, more and more consumers and businesses take on sustainability as a strategic imperative to unlock competitive and growth opportunities. In a recent report, PricewaterhouseCoopers noted that 43 percent of CEOs in the Philippines included climate change and environmental damage in their strategic risk management activities.

But what does innovation have to do with sustainability? How does it help enable companies to become more sustainable?

In the recently held Globe Innovtalks, in collaboration with SAP SE (NYSE: SAP), Simone Pigason, Head of Digital, Resilient, and Sustainable Supply Chain of SAP Southeast Asia, and Ivan Curada, Cloud Engineer at Globe’s Information Systems Group (ISG), shared how innovations

can help Philippine businesses pursue sustainability in today’s world.

Innovation in Supply Chains

Nowadays, most greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originate from businesses’ supply chains. A 2020 study by non-profit charity CDP revealed that emissions from the supply chain are about 11.4 times greater than those from operations, making up at least 92 percent of the whole GHG emitted by a business.

Simone Pigason noted that digitalizing supply chains help organizations reduce their carbon emissions to become more sustainable. What’s more, this enables supply chains to be agile, productive, and connected, thus resilient to future disruptions.

“The global health crisis has shown businesses the importance of having

resilient supply chains. And as various disruptions still happen globally, resilient supply chains are a must to provide consumers consistently with the goods and services they need,” said Pigason.

Pigason added that SAP has two sustainability en-

ablers that allow businesses to track their sustainability efforts.

First, the Sustainability Control Tower automates the report of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts and GHG emissions of businesses. Operating in a single dash-

board, it also keeps track of emission levels from various areas. Through the Sustainability Control Tower, businesses can see what parts of the Philippines have the most carbon emissions.

Secondly, the Plastics Warrior is a gamification process by SAP, which

motivates consumers to recycle more. Aside from notifying supermarket shoppers about their plastic use, it utilizes advanced analytics to learn about a retail company’s plastic waste. With the help of Plastics Warrior, businesses can enable Filipino citizens to recycle more.

Innovation in the Workplace

According to Curada, Globe generates at least 4,000 memos each month, with an average of five pages. If these are printed on paper, it consumes around 20,000 sheets or 40 reams per month. Recent research by Benoit Cushman-Roisin and Bruna Tanaka Cremonini revealed that 16.67 reams of paper are produced from a single tree, which takes years to grow. To minimize paper

Holcim Philippines is implementing digitalization programs to improve efficiency of operations.

SABONG...

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sulod sa entrance gate para hapsay na ato pag sulod sa gate. Hinaot unta masabtan ninyo. Daghan salamat sa tanan,” it said.

It can be recalled that the “Araw ng Davao celebration six-cock derby” held at the New Davao Matina Gallera here in 2020 was tagged as the “ground zero” of Covid-19 in Davao City.

The said cockpit arena was temporarily closed due to Covid-19 by the order of Duterte.

Duterte also issued Executive No. 20 series of 2020 or “an order

INDONESIAN...

City.

“I would like to commend the operating team behind this successful confiscation of high-powered firearms,” Macaraeg said in a statement.

The official believed the loose firearms will be used for criminal activities.

He said a deeper investigation will be conducted to find out the source of the firearms and the recipients.

The full force of the law will be applied both to the Indonesian and Filipino

AGRI...

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P250 ang SRP ng pulang sibuyas, hindi pa rin bumababa ang presyo. Kahit nag-harvest doon, may highest bidder ‘yung mga trader doon. Kapag P350 o P420 ang farm gate price ng sibuyas, mataas na tal-

providing for additional guidelines in the implementation of community quarantine on March 2020” wherein guideline No. 12 of Section 1 states that backyard cockfighting/sabong shall be prosecuted under pertinent laws and regulations.

In 2021, the former mayor also backed the city councilors’ recommendation to allow the operation of online or electronic sabong (e-sabong) in the city to help the economy, especially since many businesses were struggling due to the pandemic.

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suspects, he said.

The alleged gunrunners would be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The suspects were detained at the Kiamba municipal police station.

Police Captain Ralph Marvin Francis Rivera led the team that busted the suspects and the loose high-powered firearms.

(Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

CLOSE...

FROM 3 HOLCIM... FROM 11

Azurin said PNP demands the fairness and professionalism from the panel.

“Because, gaya nga ng sinabi natin [as I’ve said

81%...

FROM

before], we are talking here of the career of senior officers ng PNP who worked very hard in the last 30 years or more of their service,” he said.

4

also part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s Private Sector Advisory Council.

He said 2023 is a much

PH’s... FROM 4

The BSP said the latest GIR level represents more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It is also about 5.9 times the country’s short-term external debt-based original maturity and 3.9 times

DA... FROM 4

could be an easing in onion prices in the next few weeks as the harvest season is expected to begin in the second week of the month.

The DA is also boosting the presence of “Kadiwa on wheels” to give consumers an alternate

better year for budding businessmen as the economy continues to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

veying of storage facilities instead of having people conduct more costly and time-consuming physical audits. The quick adoption of digital tools in other areas of operations shows the company’s growing ease with its digitalization transition. Already, Holcim Philippines is exploring the of

SAP... FROM 11

based on residual maturity, it added.

Hefty dollar reserves help shield the country from external shocks such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, volatile exchange rate and the aggressive rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve, economic managers have said.

consumption and enable faster approval processes, Curada explained how Globe digitalized its memos through its own system called memo.ph. This system drastically cut paper use in the company.

“This serverless application digitalizes our memo approval processes to allow us to save at least two trees every month. It also offers templates to make memo creation as easy as possible while using an open-source li-

FLEXIBLE...

source of vegetables.

Inflation in December accelerated to 8.1 percent, mainly due to higher vegetable prices, especially onions. Vegetable inflation for the month reached 32.4 percent, the highest since February 1999.

aga pagdating sa pamilihan,” he said.

“Nagbigay tayo ng hanggang January 07, 2022 para sa P250 na SRP ng sibuyas... Kung hindi man, we have to recommend na mag-import

tayo,” he added.

Estoperez also admitted that DA lapses in the onion supply chain in the

country. He added that interventions should be re-examined to ensure food security.

use predictive technologies to improve reliability and efficiency of operations and consumption of resources. While the company is still at the early stages of its digitalization journey, it is confidently moving towards making its plants ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.

brary, so you are not paying for any license to make this application possible,” added Curada.

Pigason could not agree more about utilizing technology in innovating the workplace.

“To become more sustainable, organizations must be able to digitalize their traditional processes. All these solutions and applications prove how technologies can help build a sustainable future in today’s world,” she said.

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ate a win-win, improving both business performance and work-life balance.”

However, the report cautioned that the benefits of some flexible arrangements, such as spending more time with the family, may also be accompanied by greater gender imbalances and health risks.

When compared to a standard eight-hour day/40-hour work week, a sizeable part of the global workforce works either lengthy or short hours, ac-

cording to the report. More than one-third of all workers consistently work more than 48 hours per week, whereas a fifth of the global workforce works short hours (part-time) of fewer than 35 hours per week.

The report advised nations to keep assisting pandemic-era initiatives like inclusive short-term work schemes, which not only preserved jobs but also increased purchasing power and lessened the effects of economic crises.

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the goals and needs of the government.

“Makikita po aligned ito sa ating pangangailangan dito. Hindi lang po ito dahil gustong magbenta ang China kung hindi dahil po kailangan natin at magbe-benefit tayo sa mga ganitong agreement,” the ambassador said.

(We can see that these agreements are aligned with our needs. These are not just because China wants to sell them; we need them and will benefit from them.)

He said the deals secured by the President would deliver tangible benefits and concrete projects.

“Paano po natin ma-assure na mangyayari ‘yung pinapangako? Hindi po madali. Kasi kailangan ng follow through at ‘yun ang importante. ‘Yung mga pledges po, una, ay ang tingin ko nanggagaling sa taas. Hindi lamang ng mga kumpanya, mga Chinese companies na nag-sign,” FlorCruz said.

(How can we ensure that these pledges will materialize? It is not easy because we need to follow through. The pledges, first of all, came from the higher-ups, so it’s not only the Chinese companies that signed them.)

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per capita to be $6,044 to $6,571 by 2028 ($3,640 in 2021)

• Lower poverty incidence rate of 16 to 16.4 this year, 8.8 to 9 percent or single-digit by 2028.

Ginebra is just a win away

Barangay

Ginebra moved to within a win from claiming the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship after holding off Bay Area Dragons for a 101-91 win in Game 5 of the finals on Sunday night in front of 21,823 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Stanley Pringle came up huge down the stretch as he nailed back-to-back triples that sparked the deciding 10-2 run as the Gin Kings survived after the Dragons cut a lead as high as 18 down to five.

Justin Brownlee led

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Ginebra, which can close out the series in Game 6 on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, with 37 points on 14-of-22 shooting and eight rebounds.

Pringle added 20

points on 6-for-9 shooting from three-point range and five rebounds.

Hayden Blankley led Bay Area, which now needs to win Game 6 to send the series to a deciding Game 7 on Friday night at the Philippine

Arena in Bocaue, with 29 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals before falling down late with a foot injury.

Liu Chuanxing added 10 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

(PNA)

Well, what do you know?

Stanley Pringle still wears the Gin King’s uniform.

Clearly, the bearded Ginebra guard was silent from Game 1 to 4 such that his guns weren’t firing till there was clear danger.

A 2-all deadlock in a best of seven is scary especially when your opponent, whose main gunner went injured and unable to play, overcomes the odds to square the series.

Yes, Pringle stepped in when LA Tenorio left the game with a groin injury and Scottie Thompson was getting his hands full.

With his 20 pts - four threes away from the arc - Stanley

erased doubts and proved he can help win a game for Brgy. Ginebra.

Of course, Cone’s main man is still Justin Brownleee who fired from all cylinders, blocking shots, getting rebounds, penetrating the defense, netting 37 to pull Ginebra ahead 101-91 for a 3-2 bubble in the Com’s Cup best of seven Finals.

And while Andrew Nicholson could not recover in time to suit up for the Bay Area Dragons in Game 6 on Wednesday, the Gins might also miss Tenorio’s services.

We don’t know if, in desperation, coach Brian Goorjian might reactivate prolific guard Miles

PRINGLE PROVIDES GREAT RELIEF

Powell who, by this time, may have healed a minor injury that sidelined him.

Their backs against the wall, Goorjian may have to pull all strings to negate the Gins’ blitzkrieg towards the championship.

Seven foot five Liu was doing comparatively okay defending as well as scoring but his bulk could not keep pace with the 48-minute running game Cone is employing against the Dragons.

If it had not been for his long international experience as a noted bench tactician, Goorjianwho steered Australia to a bronze medal finish in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics - would probably have

thrown in the towel.

Admirably, if you now assess how the Dragons are shifting their on-court strategy by letting his small guards and forwards take the scoring cudgels which, unmistakably, gave Ginebra the scare.

Blankely, Lam, Yang, Reid Ewing and another chinky-eyed player whose name escapes me, are keeping Thompson et al busy because they were able to contribute points.

This tactic marginally rendered big boys Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar out of the playing equation on defense which affords Liu enough

space to grab offensive rebounds.

Cone will, by all means, stress to JB and company to focus on game 6 like there is no tomorrow.

Never mind if the Tinyente cannot play. Pringle is available..

If, by a twist of fate, the Dragons are able to make it 3-3, the momentum may shift to the visitors side. With this circumstance developing, Nicholson may then be forced to take off his street clothes.

I suppose the 21,000 plus Ginebra crowd won’t like to read what I am writing. Bilog ang bola, mga pare ko. Cheers! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Stanley Pringle came up huge down the stretch as he nailed back-to-back triples that sparked the deciding 10-2 run as the Gin Kings survived after the Dragons cut a lead as high as 18 down to five.

STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT

Zamboanga powers past Slingers for

The Valientes recovered from an early 11-point deficit and turned the game around in the second half to come away with their second win of the Singapore leg.

They end the Singapore circuit with a 2-2 win-loss record, before returning to action in Batam, Indonesia on Friday.

Antonio Hester led the way for the Valientes with 28 points on a superb 11-of-15 clip, on top of 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Ryan Smith added 15 points and 13 rebounds, while veteran Rudy Lingganay contributed 14 points.

Smith sparked a 10-2 run midway through the final quarter that turned a slim five-point lead into a double-digit spread, 82-69, with just 2:28 to play in the game.

The Zamboanga lead ballooned to 15 points, 87-72, with 1:16 to go off a Lingganay triple and a Smith jumper.

Kentrell Barkley had 29

points and 11 rebounds for Singapore, while Chanceler Gettys also came up with a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double. Xavier Alexander was one rebound shy of a triple-double, with 11 points, 11 assists, and nine boards.

However, Singapore shot just 36% from the field, and allowed Zamboanga to make 51% of their field goals.

Singapore ended its home leg with a 2-2 win-loss record. Leading the way in the ABL Invitationals are Hong Kong Eastern and Saigon Heat, both of which finished with 4-0 slates.

The scores:

ZAMBOANGA 87 -- Hester 28, Smith 15, Lingganay 14, Kwekuteye 9, Arthur 8, Chan 5, Amores 5, Bernardo 3, Cawaling 0, Carino 0.

SINGAPORE

Quarters:

The Zamboanga Valientes were triumphant against Singapore in the ABL Invitationals. Photo courtesy of the ABL.