Edge Davao Vol. 25 Issue 254 | Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023

TURNING AROUND

Councilors recommend repeal of ordinance requiring business permits to delivery riders

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Delivery riders in Davao City have found allies in their struggle against an ordinance requiring them to secure business permit.

Councilors Bernie Alag and Al Ryan Alejandre came to the rescue of delivery riders on Thursday after they resolved to recommend the repeal of the ordinance.

On Thursday, the Com-

mittees on Trade Industry and Commerce and Finance, Ways and Means and Appropriation held a joint committee hearing to discuss the concerns and suggestions of freelance delivery riders concerning

Ordinance 0621-21, which requires delivery riders to obtain a business permit to operate.

The hearing was attended by Grab riders, officers from Food Panda, BIR, the business bureau, and Maxim.

“Dili nila afford mag bayad sa business permit,” Alejandre, vice chair of the Committees on Trade Industry and Commerce and

Phivolcs calls for quake readiness in three Davao Region provinces

Finance told Edge Davao.

It is the recommendation of the committee to repeal the ordinance and amend provisions regarding requirements on permits.

“Nasa committee level pa ug i-endorse pa on the second reading. Pero naa pa cguro second committee hearing ani,” Alejandre said.

66 people’s orgs get livelihood aid in DdO

Sixty-six people’s organizations (POs) in Davao de Oro province are recipients of PHP19.8 million worth of livelihood assistance from the national government.

In a statement Thursday, the provincial government said each association received PHP300,000 as-

sistance that will be utilized as start-up capital for their livelihood project.

The checks were turned over Wednesday by representatives of the Davao de Oro province government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD11), the Armed Forces of

the Philippines, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity in Davao Region (OPAPRU-11).

The assistance came from the “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the national government,

as funded by the Office of the President.

PAMANA aims to provide livelihood sources to all the communities once affected by armed conflict or insurgency.

In an interview, Leonora Ambas, 51, the president of the Kapatagan Pama-

The team leader of the geologists from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology which makes impact assessment of the magnitude 6 that hit the Northeast of Davao Region warns the public to be ready for more quakes to happen.

Dr. Jeffrey Perez, research specialist of the Phivolcs who heads the team bared that with the many faults setting underneath Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte areas, there is a big possibility that a stress transfer can happen in all the faults the same as scenario that happened in Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato in 2019 and 2020.

He advised local government units to enhance it information-education campaign on earthquake as a way to prepare the communities on the possible eventuality.

“We have to enhance our preparedness to prepare the communities on

the impact of earthquakes,” Perez said.

He revealed that the epicenter in the latest quake in February 1 was in Davao de Oro at 6:44 in the evening with a magnitude of 6.0, 17 kilometer deep, two kilometers South-west of Compostela, Davao de Oro.

Perez based on the findings, bared that the vertical shaking was felt in Compostela and nearby areas.

He said the North-South trending fault moved which is expected in Compostela town.

“Based on the intensity-survey-assessment of our quick response team, we have reassessed our intensity, and for the intensity six it was assessed that it happened in Compostela, Nabunturan, Montevista, Monkayo, New Bataan and Mawab; for Davao del Norte, New Corella, Kapalong, Carmen and Asuncion while the Island Garden City of Samal re-

Vice President Sara Duterte is elected President and Chairman of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council for 2023-2025 during the 52nd SEAMEO Council Conference in Manila on Thursday. FB page of Inday Sara Duterte

DepEd 11 asks parents to coordinate with school officials amid HFMD threat

ASEAN leaders urged to ensure quality education

The Department of Education (DepEd)

on Thursday urged leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to embrace the spirit of “bayanihan” (cooperation) to improve the quality of education in the region.

In a statement, the DepEd cited how Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte underscored its urgency given the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the education sector.

“Vice President and Secretary of Education

Sara Z. Duterte calls for unity and urgency in addressing learning gaps and education equality in her message during the opening of the Southeast Asian Education Ministers for the 52nd SEAMEO Council Conference,” it said.

During the conference, Duterte highlighted how helpful bayanihan can be, especially in addressing issues in accessibility to quality education.

“In the Philippines, the term bayanihan is used to

describe the acts of coming together to work for a common goal… I urged everyone to embrace the spirit of bayanihan keeping in mind who is at the heart of the work that we do. Our ASEAN learners and the future leader of our countries. Like the act of the bayanihan, let us continue to value education as a shared duty,” Duterte said.

“We need to act now. We cannot afford to waste more time. As education leaders, we cannot allow ASEAN children to miss out on the beauty and benefits of learning and the wonders of being able to use it to positively impact ASEAN and the world,” she added.

The education chief made the call following assessments of the impacts of the pandemic, including the learning gaps due to the halt in in-person classes.

“Data from UNICEF indicates that more than half of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries were unable to read or comprehend a simple story even before the pandemic. In addition, learning pov-

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd 11) is calling on parents to coordinate with schools amid threats of the spread of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

The reminder came as students return to school on Monday for the new academic year.

Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo, spokesperson of DepEd 11, issued the call on Friday over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), following the report of

HFMD cases that hit 24 students of two public schools in Davao Region, particularly in Davao City and Davao de Oro.

“Importante ang close coordination with the school through the teacher adviser of your children kinahanglan makipag co-

ordinate and teachers will automatically do that pero naa ta’y mga concerns atoang hud-ong nga ang mga ginikanan usahay dili ma connect nato, it takes two to tango, maningkaot ning eskwelahan pinaagi sa mga magtutudlo nga makapadangat ug information ug importante pud nga ang atong mga ginikanan maningkamot to seek information sa atoang mga magtutudlo.

I do not find it very huge task for the parents na makipag coordinate. Mao

na ang atoang panawagan sa mga ginikanan nga makig-istorya gyud sa mga magtutudlo sa inyuhang mga anak para mahibaw-an kung unsay sitwasyon ug condition ug unsay announcement na ipadangat dinha sa inyuhang bahin,” Atillo said. Atillo reported that cases of HFMD in the Davao Region are declining and that the weeklong school break has helped in preventing the spread of the disease.

City exploring other areas in Davao City for additional tourist attractions

The city government of Davao is building up the city’s tourism sector by exploring other areas as additional tourist attractions.

Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism and Beautification, said on Friday that establishing more tourist attractions is one of the mandates of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

“Nagalibot ang team sa City Mayor’s Office, tourism, DENR sa lain laing mga distrito ug ikalima nami naglibot ug giadtuan nato ang mga falls sa District 2 ug 3. Ako nakakuyog nako ug ikaduha last week sa Malabog,” he said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday.

He said two sites in Malabog, Paquibato District have the potential to

become tourist sites.

“On Saturday, I will be back again in Paquibato to look for more areas for tourism kay daghan kaayo ta ug nindot nga mga falls sa dakbayan nga wala pa nato na explore,” he also said.

Alejandre also said that the city will also ensure that nature will not be destroyed by opening new tourism sites by establish-

ing guidelines and mechanisms.

“Initiative ni sa city government kay dako ang atong land area. Ubay ubay na ang among nakita and after ani, we will assess kung unsa tong mga posible, himoan ug road network ug security measures. Sa atoang mga private sectors they are making tourism plans either FCITY, P10

Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) spokesperson Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo says DepEd 11 is calling on parents to coordinate with the schools amid the Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) threat, specially since the students will be returning to school on Monday after the school break. Lean Daval Jr.

‘Bayanihan’ among

FDEPED, P10

Ex-NEDA chief tells Marcos: Stay home, fix agri problems

President

Ferdinand Marcos Jr should consider cutting back on foreign trips and focus more on solving the country’s problems, especially in agriculture, a former socioeconomic planning secretary said on Thursday.

Former National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Ernesto Pernia said some of Marcos’ trips abroad could have been put off considering the multitude of local problems.

“There are just too

many problems that need to be attended to. Maybe a couple of trips are fine, three trips at the most in his first semester of being President. Then show as an exemplar, attending to agriculture, which he deliberately decided to head

himself, because it is a very critical department and food is really the, one of the problems we are facing now,” Pernia said during a forum of economists.

Marcos is now in Japan, his 10th foreign trip since assuming power. Malacacanang said the President has gathered pledges from investors during these trips.

Pernia however said he believes fixing the country’s problems would eventually do more to boost

investor confidence and boost investment.

INFLATION AND GROWTH

High prices of food items, like onions, pushed up inflation to a 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January, which was above even the central bank’s forecast range.

Jonathan Ravelas, managing director at eManagement for Business and Marketing Services, said inflation can weigh down

Production volume, value continue to grow in Dec.

Factories continued to register growth in December 2022, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) reported Thursday.

The Volume of Production Index (VoPI) last December increased by

4.8 percent year on year, growing for six consecutive months.

The growth in December last year was lower than November 2022’s VoPI of 5.9 percent and December 2021’s 19.2 percent.

The PSA attributed the slower growth in VoPI

in December 2022 to the decline in the top three industry divisions – the manufacture of transport equipment and basic metals, as well as the easing of growth in the production of computer, electronic, and optical products.

“In addition to these three, slowdowns were

DTI entices Japanese firms to expand operations in PH

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

Secretary Alfredo

Pascual has encouraged Japanese companies to further invest and expand their operations in the Philippines.

This, as Pascual accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his official working visit to Japan, where they met 11 Japanese firms involved in manufacturing of semiconductors, electronics and wiring harness.

also observed in the annual growth rates of the indices of eight industry divisions,” it added.

On the other hand, the Value of Production Index (VaPI) in the same period also grew 10.1 percent, expanding for 21 straight months.

In a statement, the DTI said these firms include Brother Industries, Ltd., IBIDEN Co., Ltd., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Seiko Epson Corporation, Nidec-Shimpo Corporation, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, TDK Corporation, Sumimoto Wiring Systems Ltd., Yazaki Corporation, Yokowo Co., Ltd., and Panasonic Corporation.

Pascual said these companies presented to the Marcos their current operations in the country as well as their future invest-

ment plans.

“With the demand expected to grow in the global market, we would like to explore how we can encourage you to expand and upgrade your operations in the Philippines,” Pascual told the Japanese firms in a roundtable meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.

He said the dialogue has allowed Japanese companies to express their concerns about the business environment in the Philippines, while it also became a platform for Marcos’ cabinet members to present the government’s initiatives and reforms to improve the investment climate.

Pascual said Japanese companies cited the renewal of the United States Generalized System of Preference (GSP) is important for their investment decisions in the country, as the trade preference program allows duty-free entry of export goods from the Philippines to the US.

The country’s inclusion

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is urged to consider cutting back on foreign trips and focus more on solving the country’s problems, specially in agriculture. Lean Daval Jr.

FEX-NEDA, P10

High inflation a challenge to Region 11’s economic recovery: biz exec

$4.6B to support PH economic dev’t plan pledged by Japan PM

Japanese Prime Minister

Fumio Kishida on Thursday pledged to provide 600 billion yen (USD4.6 billion) in official development assistance (ODA) and private-sector investment to support the Philippines’ economic development plan to become an upper middle-income country by 2025.

Kishida made the announcement in a joint press conference with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. after witnessing the signing of seven bilateral documents and agreements between the two countries at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.

He said the assistance will be given to the Philippines over two years through March 2024.

The Philippines is currently classified as a lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank.

7 bilateral agreements

Meanwhile, Marcos and Kishida witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements that cover cooperation in infrastructure

High inflation rate has remained a major challenge hampering the economic recovery of Davao Region, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. president John Carlo Tria said.

development, defense, agriculture, and information and communications technology. These agreements are:

-- Exchange of Notes on Japanese Official Development Project: North-South Commuter Railway Extension (NSCR) Project (II);

-- Exchange of Notes on Japanese Official Development Project: NSCR - Malolos to Tutuban Project (II);

-- Loan Agreement for the NSCR Extension Project (II);

-- Loan Agreement for the NSCR - Malolos to Tutuban Project (II);

-- Umbrella Term of Reference (TOR) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Cooperation

-- Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Agriculture Cooperation

-- MOC in the Field of Information and Communications Technology

In a virtual interview over “One Davao on COVID-19: A Virtual Presser” on Thursday, Tria said the high inflation rate would affect local businesses, particularly the small enterprises.

“We have a lot of challenges, and one of them is high inflation. If goods are

expensive, that means raw materials used in businesses are also expensive. For example, food served at restaurants will be expensive because they buy costly ingredients,” he said.

He said inflation would affect local businesses because costly goods would discourage sales, creating

a snowball effect on other industries.

He believed that inflation has a bearing on the capability of local producers to manufacture goods as the materials, some of them imported, have become costlier.

He said the transportation cost is relatively more expensive these days as prices of oil in the world market have gone up due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Last January 8, the Philippine Statistics Authority

reported that the inflation rate in Davao Region in November 2022 remained the highest among the country’s 17 regions at 9.7%.

From January to November, the average inflation was reported at 7.3%.

An increase was seen in alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 13.1% from 12.2%; clothing and footwear at 5.5% from 4.7%; furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 7.3% from 6.5%; health at

FHIGH, P10

decision affirming constitutionality of TRAIN Act

DOF lauds SC

The Department of Finance (DOF) has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) affirming the constitutionality of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act amid petitions claiming the law to be “anti-poor” and unlawful.

The SC dismissed the petitioners’ “anti-poor” argument on the grounds of being largely hypothetical and lacking sufficient proof.

The high court said the imposition of regressive taxes is not prohibited by the Constitution.

“The implementation of the TRAIN Act provided significant relief to taxpayers while generating necessary revenues that fund the country’s infrastructure projects and other priority programs,” DOF Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a statement Thursday.

The TRAIN Act is the

first package of the previous administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which aims to make the country’s tax system simpler, fairer and more efficient.

Furthermore, the program aids in revenue generation which is necessary for addressing poverty and improving the economy.

“Game-changing tax reforms such as the TRAIN and CREATE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for

Enterprises) Act, paved the way for our country’s continued economic growth and fiscal sustainability,” Diokno said.

The DOF is pursuing the passage of the remaining packages of the CTRP that are currently pending in Congress. These are bills that seek to modernize real property valuation and assessment, and simplify the taxation of passive income and financial intermediaries. (PR)

Market goers flock to the vegetable section of the Bankerohan Market in Davao City on Thursday, 5 January 2023. MindaNews Photo

EDITORIAL

Why exempt delivery riders?

Ordinance No. 0621-21 was passed by the City Council which requires delivery riders to register their business and procure a permit as any business enterprise should.

And why not? Delivery riders are doing business in the same manner as a vendor, sari sari store, or karinderya owner.

Delivery riders thrived during the Covid-19 crisis as they become instant heroes in the midst of the lockdown. Nevertheless, it is still a business enterprise which necessitate regulation and registration. Thus, Ordinance 0621-21.

In a complete turnaround, two members of the City Council are taking the cudgels of the appeal from the delivery riding community to exempt them from getting business permit. The reason being economic hardship.

The delivery riders are saying they cannot afford to pay for the business permit.

Councilors Bernie Al-ag and Al Ryan Alejandre agreed to recommend the repeal of that particular business permit provision in the ordinance.

The Committees on Trade Industry and Commerce and Finance, Ways and Means and Appropriation held a joint committee hearing to discuss the concerns and suggestions of freelance delivery riders concerning Ordinance 0621-21 particularly the requirement to obtain a business permit to operate.

“They cannot afford to pay,” said Councilor Alejandre as the main reason for the recommendation.

There is a principle of law known as the Rule of Law which means that the same laws apply to everyone regardless of their occupation, level of wealth, race, colour, sexual orientation, gender or other personal characteristics.

It means that all people are treated equally by the same standards.

If the requirement to obtain a business permit will be waived, it could be unfair to other entrepreneurs who are similarly situated as delivery riders. The inability to pay due to one’s current economic standing should not be a convenient reason to discard a local ordinance’s provision which applies also to others engaging a business.

If we exempt the delivery riders, others may also follow suit using the “cannot afford to pay” narrative.

Perhaps, holding in abeyance the particular provision for the meantime can be a better solution rather than taking it off completely.

A business permit issued by the local government is a key compliance document which entitles and enables a business to legally operate and do business in the area in which the business is registered. In short, it is as a “licence to operate” without which one is not legally allowed to engage in the trade of goods and services.

In addition to protecting a business legally, licenses means business credibility and allows for the local government to regulate those who do business and at the same time protect the consumer public.

On their recommendation to repeal the ordinance requiring delivery riders to procure business permit:

“Dili nila afford mag bayad sa business permit.”

ALEJANDRE

Vice chair, Committee on Trade Industry and Commerce, Committee on Finance

THE INEVITABLE RETURN OF EL NIÑO

TEXT AND PHOTOS

BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

High inflation rate has remained a major challenge hampering the economic recovery of Davao Region, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. president John Carlo Tria said.

The bad boy from the Pacific will soon be back!

An El Niño is likely to happen after June or the latter of this year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“After June, there is a high probability that El Niño will occur,” PAGASA Davao Station chief meteorological officer Lolita Vinalay was quoted as saying during her recent guesting at Kapihan sa PIA (Philippine Information Agency).

The national office of the weather bureau will issue an El Niño Watch, which means there is a 50% chance of having an El Niño. An El Niño Advisory will be issued if there is already an El Niño and the impact of the climate anomaly is felt, she explained.

“This weather disturbance is considered an enemy that could cause damage to the environment, agriculture, and marine life. As such, it has destructive

consequences to human life,” points out the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

As food production is most likely to be affected with the dry spell brought about by El Niño, the Davao regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is now doing preparatory interventions, PIA’s Rudolph Ian Alama reported.

In the PIA news item which Edge Davao published, the following interventions are being prepared: introduction of drought-tolerant varieties of crops, expanded irrigation areas, intensified campaign on the enrolment of crop insurance, information education campaign of water saving techniques, and buffer stocking of seeds and pesticides. Also being done are the open surface pumps and spring development projects.

“Then, we have this seasonal climate advisory and farm outlook advisory which are given to inform our farmers,” said Joedel Leliza, the regional disaster risk reduction focal person of DA-11, during the PIA forum.

The climate phenomenon, however, will be felt around the world. In fact, respected scientists have already predicted the global temperatures will go “off the chart,” according to a Guardian report.

In their initial prediction, scientists said the return of El Niño will be in the latter part of 2023. “This will lead to extreme weather around the world,” the Guardian report stated. “Global temperature is likely to exceed 1.5-degree Celsius.”

No one knows precisely when El Niño first struck. Historians are dating the phenomenon at least as far back as the early 1500s, when the Spanish conquistadores entered South America amid raging storms. Some 400 years before that, there were some records of terrible sweeping through pre-Columbian communities.

Originally, Spanish fishermen named the event as “Corriente del Niño.” The word “corriente” describes the appearance of warm ocean current flowing from

time to time in the eastern equatorial Pacific region along the South American coasts. The word “Niño” was traditionally associated with the birth of Baby Jesus, as it was observed around Christmas. It was used to be considered a local event along the coasts of Peru and Ecuador. Through the years, “corriente” was dropped, leaving only “El Niño.”

El Niño has a cooler counterpart in the form of La Niña (from the Spanish word for “girl”). It refers to the large-scale cooling of the ocean surface temperatures in the same region in the equatorial Pacific, coupled with a reversal of the overlying atmospheric conditions. In many locations, La Niña cold episodes produce the opposite climate effects to El Niño.

“El Niño and La Niña events are caused by, and contribute to, naturally occurring climate variability,” explained the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO). “They disrupt the normal patterns of tropical precipitation and atmospheric circulation and are considered to be the opposite phases of air-sea interactions collectively referred to as the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO).”

El Niño and La Niña occur every two to seven

years and typically last for 9 to 12 months. Both have widespread impacts on weather around the world.

One of the most memorable El Niño happened in 1997-1998. It rose out of the tropical Pacific in l1997, bearing more energy than a million Hiroshima bombs. By the time it had run its course eight months later, the giant El Niño of 1997-1998 had deranged weather patterns around the world, killed an estimated 24,000 people, displaced six million and affected some 111 million. The guesstimated cost of property damage worldwide: US$34 billion.

The Philippines was not spared. “The fury of El Niño began in the third quarter of 1997,” noted a briefing paper published by the PCAARRD. “El Niño weather conditions struck mostly in the Southern and Central Philippines.”

Among the provinces badly hit by El Niño in Mindanao were South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Sarangani, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Cotabato City, and General Santos City. The long drought affected about 497,238 agricultural families, including tribal communities. Some 74 people died, some from

starvation. Other reports said sources of potable water in General Santos City and adjacent areas dried up. Davao del Sur also experienced shortage in potable water. Some portions of Mount Apo, Mount Matutum, and forested areas in Maragusan suffered from forest fires.

The dry spell brought about by El Niño was so severe that the indigenous communities had a hard time finding food, thus forcing themselves to eat wild yam. In the province of Cotabato, drought affected farm lands and cattle; lumads reportedly ate kayos just to survive.

“The 1997-98 event was a wake-up call,” Dr. Michael Glantz, of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado was quoted as saying. “Awareness of what El Niño can do to societies and economies is now high.”

According to PAGASA, the climatic indicators of El Niño phenomenon in the country are as follows: delayed onset of the rainy season, early termination of the rainy season, weak monsoon activity and isolated heavy downpour with short duration, far tropical cyclone track, and lesser number of tropical cyclones entering the Philippine Area of ResponsibilFINEVITABLE, P10

Due to long drought and without rain, the lands are parched.

Anflocor moves to new home

they moved into a new home, it marks the beginning of another amazing journey for Anflocor.

Currently, it occupies the entire 16th floor and a portion of the 15th floor of the Damosa Diamond Tower, which offer stunning view of the Davao Gulf.

Anflocor is the management and investment company of the ANFLO Group of Companies, which has a diverse range of industries such as agriculture, real estate, industrial, tourism, construction, retail, consumer financing, radio broadcasting, and security agency.

nies, in her message during the inauguration on January 26, 2023.

Anflocor’s former headquarter was the Malayan-inspired building that you can’t miss every time you pass by Lanang area. It has also became a landmark in Davao City.

As part of the Damosa Complex, Anflocor Management and Investment Corporation has moved into its new residence, the Damosa Diamond Tower.

This is considered a company milestone.

That’s right! The moment

“The Damosa Diamond Tower is firmly rooted in Anflocor’s history and embodies the vision of my father, the late Don Antonio O. Floirendo Sr. whose every undertaking was centered on growing the business of agriculture without losing

sight of the ongoing preservation of nature. As such, the Diamond Tower is located in the center of Mindanao’s business and commerce and was designed, built, and will be operated with eco-friendly energy efficient features such as LED lighting, solar panels, and intelligent technology,” said Maria Linda Lagdameo, chairperson of the Anflo Group of Compa-

“From the Damosa office in Bankerohan, to our current Damosa location, which has become a landmark in the Davao City landscape, we are now here in our world-class Anflocor Diamond Tower office, and I am filled with excitement as we celebrate this new milestone in our company’s history,” said Lagdameo.

Anflocor may have relocated to its new residence but one thing’s for sure it remains true to its commitment to the development of the Davao Region and the upliftment of the lives of the Mindanaoans.

Happy moving.

Moving to a new home ignites a mix of emotions like excitement and anxiety as you leave your old abode with fond memories behind.

LANDBANK, Pryce Corp. ink P1.6-B loan for business expansion

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and Pryce Corporation signed a P1.6-billion loan agreement to fund the expansion of the firm’s

operations in real estate development and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution.

LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa

Asian Food Fusions at FamilyMart

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO

Japanese convenience store chain FamilyMart embraces classic Chinese cuisine with the latest menu addition to its menu list.

FamilyMart recently launched the Harumaki, its

rendition of the well-loved fried spring rolls in time for the Lunar New celebrations all over the Philippines .

Now with a Japanese twist, this spring rolls are filled with meat, cheese,

Borromeo, Pryce Corporation Chairman Salvador P. Escaño and President Efren A. Palma led the signing on 27 January 2023 at the LANDBANK

Plaza in Malate, Manila. They were joined by Pryce Gases, Inc. Chairman Atty. Earl Christian L. Lerio, LANDBANK Senior Vice Presidents Ma. Celeste A.

Burgos and Charlotte I. Conde, and Vice President Jimmy P. Arco.

“LANDBANK is committed to supporting the continued expansion of Pryce Corporation to help provide a wide array of essential products and services to customers nationwide. We stand ready to serve the growth requirements of the firm and its subsidiaries, as well as other productive businesses towards advancing inclusive economic development,” said President Borromeo.

cluding one in Iligan City that is currently ongoing construction.

“The P1.6-billion loan from LANDBANK, combined with Pryce’s existing resources, will help Pryce to further expand its LPG infrastructure and penetrate the market more deeply, thereby enabling Pryce to increase its market share. It will also bring the PRYCEGAS products closer and more accessible to the many household consumers,” said Chairman Escaño.

and nori, the dish is served with a dipping sauce, along with rice as part of a full meal. It comes in two variants–Chicken and Cheese, and Pork and Vegetables offered for only ₱85!

Give Harumaki a try by

visiting FamilyMart stores or by ordering via GrabFood.

FamilyMart is now in Davao City at various key locations—Buhangin, , CM Recto, Matina & Bangkal.

Of the total loan amount, Pryce Corporation will allocate P1.5 billion for the construction of LPG terminals and refilling stations of its subsidiary, Pryce Gases, Inc. Pryce’s other subsidiary, Oro Oxygen Corporation, will be supported with P105 million to fund the expansion of its LPG products distribution.

The remaining P55 million will finance the development of Pryce Company’s memorial parks and columbariums in major cities of Mindanao, in-

Pryce Corporation was established as a property holding and real estate development company, which is principally involved in the development of memorial parks and sale of memorial lots. At present, it has a total of 13 memorial parks in Mindanao and one columbarium in Cagayan de Oro City.

LANDBANK

Manulife, MCBL launch WealthOne

Manila, Philippines

— International financial services provider Manulife is delighted to launch WealthOne, a comprehensive single-pay variable life insurance plan that enables Filipinos to grow their wealth and preserve their legacy by investing in a wide variety of funds that fit their preferences and goals.

WealthOne provides customers with flexible

life insurance coverage that can go as high as 500% of their single premium*, and a guaranteed start-up bonus equal to 1.5%. In addition, customers can boost their coverage by adding protection benefits and they can also choose from a wide range of local and global investment funds to diversify and maximize their earning potential. WealthOne also offers a hassle-free policy

application experience, with no medical requirements needed as long as certain conditions and limits are applied.

“We have launched WealthOne to cater to the growing number of Filipinos who have achieved success in their careers, businesses and other endeavors, and who now want to ensure that their loved ones and succeeding generations will benefit from their legacy,” said

Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Also available for Manulife China Bank Life customers, WealthOne has been designed for long-term investors such as: thriving professionals looking to grow their wealth through a diversified portfolio of assets; high net-worth individuals with acquired assets who are interested in estate planning; and busi-

ness owners looking for practical solutions to ensure business continuity.

“WealthOne aims to match Filipinos’ protection needs while helping them grow their money so they can achieve their financial aspirations,” said Neil Bowyer, President and CEO of MCBL.

Through WealthOne, customers can also choose from a wide range of local and global funds to maximize their

earning potential. Those funds include the recently launched Global Market Leaders Fund, which aims to achieve capital growth by investing at least 80% of its assets in a concentrated portfolio of equities of large-capitalization companies listed globally.

For more information about Manulife’s full suite of products and services, visit www.manulife.com.ph/.

supports the financing requirements of key productive sectors of the economy, to drive its broader thrust of nation-building in serving the nation.

LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Cayosa Borromeo (3rd from left) along with Pryce Corporation Chairman Salvador P. Escaño (4th from left) and President Efren A. Palma (5th from left) lead the signing of a P1.6-billion credit agreement to fund the firm’s expansion on 27 January 2023 at the LANDBANK Plaza in Malate, Manila. Joining them are Pryce Gases, Inc. Chairman Atty. Earl Christian L. Lerio (rightmost), LANDBANK Senior Vice Presidents Ma. Celeste A. Burgos (2nd from left) and Charlotte I. Conde (leftmost).

66 PEOPLE’S... FROM 2 INEVITABLE... FROM 7 DEPED... FROM 3

na SLP Association, said the effort of the various agencies has definitely changed their lives for the better.

“We are now living peacefully and the communist rebels have returned to the folds of the government,” she said. (PNA)

PHIVOLCS... FROM 2

mains under assessment,” Perez said.

He said that minor damages usually occur on areas with intensity six, characterized by cracked walls on buildings.

Perez said that 1,258 aftershocks have been noted as of February 9 at 2:00 pm with the highest last Sunday at 4.5 intensity.

“Now we can see a

CITY... FROM 3

entertainment and leisure.

Karon Sabado musaka ko ug bukid balik kauban ang CMO to evaluate kung posible ba,” he said.

Some of the popular tourist spots in Davao City include Eden Nature Park, Davao Crocodile Park,

downtrend in the recorded aftershocks,” he said.

Perez bared the impact of the latest earthquake is lower compared to the shaking in Abra and even in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato in 2019 because of the lower magnitude with the presence of landslide but the absence of liquefaction and ground rupture. (PIA

XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Malagos Garden Resort, Davao Bamboo Sanctuary, Philippine Eagle Center, Bu-Da (Bukidnon-Davao) for cool weather and lush vegetation, Roxas Night Market, and The Garden of Eden Restored. By Maya

M. Padillo

EX-NEDA... FROM 4

consumption, which is a key growth driver.

Alvin Ang, chair of the Ateneo de Manila Economics Department said inflation is also exacerbating inequality.

“You really don’t want growth to be inequitable. We want people to catch up. The disposable income of the rich is actually 14x the lowest decile. That is a huge difference and that inequality is being felt by the majority,” Ang said.

He noted that recent jobs data from the Philippine Statistics Authority presents some troubling trends. Jobs are being created in services and industry, but agriculture is losing jobs.

The Development Bud-

DTI... FROM 4

in the US GSP expired in December 2020, but Pascual said the Philippine government is lobbying with the US government for the GSP reauthorization.

He added the Philippines remains an investment hub for the manufacturing of electronics and semiconductors, as

get Coordination Committee targets a growth rate of 6 to 7 percent for 2023, while putting the inflation outlook at 2.5 to 4.5 percent. These forecasts were released in December 2022.

Ravelas said the economy may grow by between 5.5 and 6.75 percent this year, while Ang said 7 percent growth is still possible.

The key will be slowing down inflation, the two economists said. Both also warned that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may be forced to raise rates further to keep inflation expectations in check, and to prevent any negative impact on the Philippine peso from further Federal Reserve tightening.

this sector continues to be the country’s top exporter sharing more than 50 percent of the total merchandise export revenues.

Likewise, the Philippines is the fourth largest exporter of wiring harness in the world next to Mexico, China and Romania.

SUPPORT... FROM 5

In his speech, Marcos said the signing of agreements “further cemented” both countries’ commitment to their strategic partnership.

“…After our meeting, I can confidently say that our strategic partnership is stronger than ever as we navigate together the rough waters buffeting our region. The future of our relationship remains full of promise as we continue to deepen and expand our engagements across a wide range of mutually beneficial coopMarcos, likewise, invited Kishida to the Philippines for a “return visit in the very

He said that based on the latest information he received, from the 24 cases only eight children are currently undergoing isolation and treatment in their respective homes while the rest have already recovered.

“Walay report nga naay severe. Kining walo most likely nangaayo na ni sila karon. I would like to surmise that kining walo man gud sa nilabay nga mga adlaw there is a great probability nga aduna nay recoveries niini and hopefully kining walo nangaayo na,” he said.

Atillo said DepEd 11 is urging the parents to check their children’s health status regularly and if there are symptoms of HFMD the parents should immediately inform the children’s

teachers for immediate action.

He also said DepEd 11 has close coordination with the Department of Health 11 (DOH 11), barangay health workers, and municipal and provincial health centers concerning HFMD.

Atillo also reported that none of the teaching and non-teaching personnel were affected by HFMD.

“Walay puas ang pagbantay nato ani ug gilauman nato nga ang report nga gipahiluna karon na sporting activities diri sa Davao City nga Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) meet wala man pud nagbutyag nga dunay HFMD situation karon dinha ug wala pud tay reported cases of HFMD sa mga atleta,” he said.

‘BAYANIHAN’... FROM 3

erty, or the inability to read and comprehend a basic text by the age of 10, has gotten worse because of the disruption in schooling and is currently thought to be close to 70 percent,” she said.

For the part of the Philippines, the DepEd vowed to intensify its efforts to realize its MATATAG (resilient) agenda, which stands for “MAking the curriculum relevant to produce jobready, active and responsible citizens; TAking steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education facilities and provision of services; Taking good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive edu-

cation, and a positive learning environment; and Giving support for teachers to teach better.”

“The Philippine government, under the leadership of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has committed to the MATATAG education agenda and has made a national commitment to increase investments in education… The President has emphasized that we cannot fail our children. We need to help them so that they become great,” Duterte said.

The DepEd earlier disclosed priority reforms to be pushed in the education sector during its Basic Education Report (BER) 2023.

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The VaPI in December 2022 eased from 12.5 percent in the preceding month and the 19.6 percent growth in 2021.

The VaPI of the manufacture of transport equipment, computer, electronic, and optical products, and basic metals also contributed to the slowdown of the value of production last December.

Meanwhile, the average capacity utilization rate of Philippine-based factories in December 2022 stood

HIGH...

near future.”

He said he also had the honor of being granted an audience with Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako and also invited them to visit the Philippines as well.

Marcos is currently in Japan from Feb. 8 to 12 to forge closer bilateral ties and lure more investments.

He earlier emphasized the need for the Philippines and Japan to “revitalize” business partnerships that were somewhat made “dormant” by the Covid-19 pandemic, saying this would contribute to the growth of both their economies. (PNA)

at 71.6 percent, lower than the 72.6 percent utilization in November 2022.

“There were 19 out of 22 industry divisions with more than 60 percent average capacity utilization rate, led by manufacture of wearing apparel (79.7 percent), manufacture of machinery and equipment except electrical (79 percent), and manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (76.3 percent),” the PSA added. (PNA)

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6.1% from 5.3%; information and communication at 1.2% from 1.1%; recreation, sport and culture at 6% from 5.1%; restaurants and accommodation services at 7.5% from 6.4%; and personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services at 6.5% from 5.7%.

The slight decline in the regional inflation for food to 11.9% from 12% was attributed to the decrease in the annual growth rate of fish and other seafood at 8.7% from 14%; vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses at 13.1% from 16.7%; meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 12.3% from 12.5%; milk,

ity (PAR).

The Philippines Recommends for Water-Saving Technologies for Rice and Other Crops, published by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), said farmers can still vegetable crops even in times of drought and/or dry spells.

“Vegetable cropping after rice usually coincides with the dry season,” it noted.

“This crop may use residual soil moisture, supplemented by irrigation, underground supplies, or tank storage. Farmers may also take advantage of the drop in river levels to cultivate riverbanks.”

In water-scarce areas, farmers can make the most efficient use of available water. “To do this, the growers decide how much and which crops to plant, or whether to plant at all,” the book said. “However, it is unwise to plant crops that cannot be properly irrigated because there are no drought-tolerant or -resistant vegetable varieties in the market.”

The DOST publication said that irrigation and water use in vegetable farming varies with the production system and ecoregion.

“Vegetables are known as succulent products,” it explained. “In general, these consist of more than 90% water.”

As such, vegetables require good water supply for optimal productivity.

“They are able to produce a crop during short periods of high moisture availability and respond well to controlled delivery of water, which enhances water use efficiency,” the book said. “On the contrary, drought conditions drastically reduce vegetable productivity.”

Here are more tips from the book on how to grow vegetable crops when water is scarce: · Proper water management planning must consider all uses of water, from the source of irrigation water to plant water use. It is very important to

NBA’S... FROM 11

other dairy products and eggs at 7.7% from 7.9%; and ready-made food and other food products at 8.1% from 8.4%.

However, increases were reported in rice at 6.2% from 2.8%; corn at 40.5% from 2.8%; flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals at 10.2% from 8.8%; oils and fats at 30.3% from 28.7%; fruits and nuts at 11.8% from 8.4%; and sugar, confectionery and desserts at 51.8% from 46.8%.

But Tria added that Davao remains an ideal destination for investments, owing greatly to the improved peace and order situation in Mindanao.

differentiate between crop water requirements and irrigation or production water system requirements.

· Irrigation systems are rated with respect to application efficiency, which is the fraction of water that has been applied to the irrigation system and that is available for plant use. Applied water that is not available for plant use may have been lost from the crop root zone through evaporation.

· For good crop production, there is a need for an appropriate match between the soil physical properties controlling water movement and retention and the irrigation system. This affects the amount of water that can be stored in the soil after irrigation, the depth of wetting, wetting pattern, and aeration status.

· The characteristics of the irrigation system, crop needs, soil properties and atmospheric conditions must all be considered to properly schedule irrigations. Poor timing or insufficient water applications can result in crop stress and reduced yields.

· Various crop management practices such as mulching, using shelters, and planting in raised beds help conserve soil moisture; and prevent or reduce soil runoff, erosion, and degradation. The use of organic materials as mulch can help enhance soil fertility, structure, and other properties.

· Crop selection is important where water is expected to be in short supply. Plants with shallow root systems will require more frequent irrigation to maintain a healthy growth rate. Shallow-rooted plants include lettuce, pechay, onions, and most other bulb/ root/tuber crops, celery, and cabbage family plants. Deep-rooted crops include tomato, corn, sweet potato, and melons. Those with intermediate root depth are beans, peppers, squash, and cucumbers.

try to build a contender around NBA career scoring leader LeBron James. They added another big man in Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic for Patrick Beverley, a second-round pick and cash considerations. The Magic said they would not require Beverley to report to the team.

The deadline was 3 p.m. EST, though most of the deals weren’t approved by the league office until much later as teams swapped not only players, but plenty of draft picks.

“I’ll show you how wrong I was,” said Cleveland president of basketball operations Koby Altman, whose team was one of few that made zero moves. “I thought it was going to be a quiet, quiet deadline. But this is the NBA, and the NBA never stops. And, it’s really fragile. It’s a really fragile industry, and you don’t know what’s going to

tip one way or the other.” Phoenix could end up being more powerful than last season’s squad, which won an NBA-best 64 games, then flamed out with a second-round loss to Dallas. The Suns just got Devin Booker back from a groin injury that had sidelined him since Christmas and soon will add Durant to the lineup when he recovers from a sprained knee ligament. That’s on top of Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

Phoenix has won nine of 11 and shared the fourthbest record with Dallas entering its game Thursday night in Atlanta.

The Mavericks also may be stronger after acquiring Irving to pair with Luka Doncic. Irving asked out of Brooklyn last week, frustrated by his negotiations for a contract extension, and he was headed West a few days later.

NBA’s trade deadline deals gets West wilder

First it

was Kyrie Irving to Dallas.

Then came Kevin Durant to Phoenix.

The breakup in Brooklyn is rebuilding some contenders in the West.

Trade deadline day in the NBA on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) featured plenty of moves, with the Suns making the biggest as

they chase the first championship in franchise history.

They acquired Durant by sending Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, and a first-round pick swap in 2028 to the

Nets, who also sent T.J. Warren back to his original team in Phoenix.

New Suns owner Mat Ishbia called it a “transformative day” for the team.

“Not only is Kevin one of the greatest and most accomplished players in the history of the sport, but his character also embodies the world-class commitment to excellence we are

instilling across every facet of this organization,” Ishbia said in a statement.

Jae Crowder, who didn’t play this season in Phoenix, was moved to Milwaukee in the four-team trade. The Bucks sent Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka and three future second-round picks to the Indiana Pacers.

Bridges, Johnson and Crowder helped the Suns

reach the NBA Finals in 2021, and a return trip looks possible with Durant in their lineup.

“It’s a close group,” coach Monty Williams said. “You can imagine that’s a tough blow to the group for the human side of it, but also exciting about what could be.”

A day earlier, the Lakers agreed to send Russell

Westbrook to Utah as part of a three-way deal including Minnesota that brought D’Angelo Russell back to Los Angeles.

“Just like that it’s a war in the West!” Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis II tweeted.

The Lakers stayed busy up until the deadline with a couple more moves as they

FNBA’S, P10

Fanatic Pinoy basketball fans may not be thrilled with the news floating around that superboy Kai Sotto may not see action in the February window of the FIBA qualifications.

The solid truth is that, as host Gilas is already qualified per FIBA rules such that these encounters with foreign teams like Lebanon and Jordan late this month do not pose any serious danger to the Philippines’ status.

What is more important is how the twelve Gilas disciples chosen by national coach Chot Reyes are able to show chemistry, solid defense, passing, aggressive offense and accurate outside shooting when they host the two

visiting teams. Whether Gilas loses or wins is just a test run that will give the coaching staff the necessary data as to who will stay and who will . be replaced eventually in the FIBA tournament proper in August.

Since the NBA ends in June, Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson is available and that means naturalized players Justin Brownlee and reserve Ange Kouame may not suit up. Should Clarkson fail to show up, then it is up to Reyes to fill in the vacuum between the Utah superguard and Ateneo star center. By August, perhaps Sotto is a hundred percent available to add more altitude.

Actually, Reyes is so damn lucky he has more than what used to be just a handful of talented cagers waiting to be tapped for the job.

Talk about being a teacher’s pet, huh?

The on-going philosophy is that no stone should be left unturned because the country is hosting the most prestigious basketball tournament next to the Summer Olympics.

But because the expectations are high, the pressure on Reyes and the coaching staff is also greater.

Let’s be realistic though.

The highest spot Gilas can expect and hope to fight for may be

fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth among the top ten FIBA squads.

Even by accident, do you expect or hope that Gilas can slip by Spain, France, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Greece and more so the US “Dream Team” in case the Pinoys get bracketed with any one or two of the above?

If our boys get to encounter Asian rivals China, South Korea and Japan by circumstance, how do you figure Gilas will perform against any one of these three?

For one thing, China, SK and Japan have already chosen their platoons who by this time have already developed chemistry, teamwork and communication.

I hope that the late preparations Gilas is going through may not result in a negative consequence.

Ideally, the final Gilas 12 should have been formed a year ago to ensure the players get to know each other like brothers in a close-knit family.

Pinoy sports fans are consoled by the fact that they will be able to watch the best basketball players in the world strut their wares before their very eyes.

After the din and dust settles down, we will see whether there will be positive applause for Gilas or negative criticism. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN GILAS AND THE FIBA OPPOSITION

Kevin Durant forms a Big 4 with the Suns.

PHOTO: AP

THREE STRIPES

PFF president hails Filipinas’ partnership with Adidas

PFF president Mariano Araneta, Jr. expressed his gratitude to Adidas after the German outfit inked a four-year deal for the Philippine Women’s National Team last Thursday 09 February 2023.

In his opening address during the signing ceremony, Araneta highlighted that the partnership is a testament to the belief of the Filipinas and the potential of women’s football in the country.

“Having Adidas as a partner, especially a kit sponsor, is a huge development, not just because of the quality of the gear and the equipment, but also the reach and marketing muscle of the brand,” said Araneta.

The partnership will see the Filipinas don the three stripes ahead of their debut in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia & New Zealand where the Philippines will face Switzerland, New Zealand, and Norway this coming July.

“I believe there is magic wearing the three stripes of Adidas,” added Araneta. “The belief that we’ll also make history and achieve something in the field will always be there. As the Adidas mantra says, Impossible is Nothing.”

The alliance was made official on Thursday when Philippine Football Federation Secretary-General Ed Gastanes and Adidas Philippines General Manager Anthony Frangos signed a memorandum of agreement at the New World Makati Hotel.

Adidas will be the official outfitter of the entire Filipinas program, from the World Cup-bound seniors team to the youth squads, for the next four years as the national team now looks forward to making the cut again in 2027.

“We at Adidas are truly honored to forge a partnership with them. In everything we do as a brand, we have always drawn inspiration from the saying ‘Impossible is nothing,’ and it is very clear how the national women’s football team has also brought this to life,” Frangos said.

“This is an incredibly significant partnership for the Philippine women’s national football team. We are honored to have Adidas as our official kit supplier as we prepare to compete at the Philippines’ maiden FIFA World Cup in six months,” added Filipinas team manager Jeff Cheng, who also graced the event through Zoom.

According to Frangos, the official kit for the Filipinas’ FIFA WWC campaign will be revealed in May, just in time for their participation in the Southeast Asian Games. However, the Filipinas will be donning Adidas jerseys as early as next week, when they play in the Pinatar Cup in Spain. (PR with PNA)

Philippine women’s football team will be wearing Adidas as official outfit.