The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) revealed on Wednesday that the suspension of the “Permit To Carry Firearms Outside of Residence” (PTCFOR) in Davao Region is already in effect.
Police Major Catherine dela Rey, DCPO spokesperson, said the temporary gun ban took effect on March 20, 2023. It will last until
11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2023.
The suspension is in line with the holding of the Ironman 70.3 events on March 24 to 26 in
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said on Tuesday the Department of Education (DepEd) is ready to accept more partnerships with other local government units (LGU) to secure the housing program for public school teachers.
not only centered in Metro Manila’s highly-urbanized areas, like Quezon City, or Davao City in Mindanao),” she said.
Davao City.
All applications for permit to transport firearms and ammunition (PTTFA) and release of purchased freiarms in the region shall also be suspended.
Dela Rey called on off duty police personnel not to carry firearms outside even if they have
FNO, P10
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday has set maximum prescribed fees for driving schools in response to complaints against expensive rates.
For motorcycle driving, the maximum total prescribed rate is P3,500—P1,000 for theoretical driving course (TDC) and P2,500 for practical driving course (PDC).
For light vehicle driving,
the maximum total prescribed rate is P5,000—P1,000 for theoretical driving course (TDC) and P4,000 for practical driving course (PDC).
LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said the cap on driving school fees will be effective on April 15.
“Ito pong (this) omnibus guidelines in the accreditation and supervision of driving institutions will be effective April 15, 2023,” LTO chief Jay Art Tugade
said in a press conference.
Tugade said penalties will be imposed on driving schools that will violate the policy.
Previously, there was no maximum rate set for driving school fees, according to Tugade. Some schools were reportedly charging up to P20,000 fees.
Also, the LTO has lifted the moratorium on applications to open driving schools starting Thursday, March 23.
Duterte made the statement as she joined the groundbreaking ceremony and signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the “Programang Pabahay para sa mga Guro at mga taga-Lungsod Quezon” (Housing program for teachers and Quezon City residents).
“We are willing to partner with other local government units, katulad ng ginawa ng Quezon City local government unit. Mayroon silang pabahay at ang partnership nila with the Department of Education is ‘yung pag-identify ng beneficiary teachers natin na qualified para sa kanilang pabahay (like what the QC LGU did. They have a housing program and their partnership with the Department of Education is to identify the qualified teachers for the housing program),” she said in an interview.
Duterte said such program should not be limited to urban areas.
“Ang isyu ng kawalan ng pabahay ay hindi lang po nakasentro sa mga highly-urbanized na mga lugar sa Metro Manila katulad ng Quezon City o Davao City sa Mindanao (The issue on the lack of housing is
For its part, the QC government expects the housing program to benefit about 444 individuals, 144 of whom shall come from the teaching and non-teaching personnel of DepEd.
Under the QC housing program, beneficiaries shall be granted a unit in one of its soonto-be-built QCitizen Homes Republic Residences.
The compound shall consist of eight five-story buildings and one 12-story building.
Qualified beneficiaries may avail of the housing program through the Pag-IBIG Fund (Pagtutulungan sa Kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya at Gobyerno) or the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) financing.
Besides the housing program, Duterte urged teachers to avail of the Office of the Vice President’s newly-launched livelihood program for women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) community.
“We encourage that to our teaching personnel in the Department of Education. To date, we’re always promoting and offering the Office of the Vice President’s entrepreneurship program, the Magnegosyo Ta Day,” Duterte said in mixed English and Filipino. (PNA)
Aprofessional group of surfers is looking at the potential of Davao Oriental province as another surfing destination in the Philippines.
In a statement from the Provincial Information Office, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, president of the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA), described the province as a “dream destination for many surfers owing to its crystal-clear waters, pristine white-sand beaches, and perfect waves.”
He also expressed UPSA’s interest in bringing surfing activities to the province, which Governor Corazon Malanyaon welcomed by inviting the group for the possibility of launching a grand surfing event within the year.
UPSA, the national sports body for surfing in the country, paid a courtesy call with Presidential son William Vinny Araneta Marcos on Monday at the
By MAYA M. PADILLOprovincial tourism complex.
Along with the young Marcos, the group visited some of the province’s surfing sites on the east coast over the weekend, and Mati City on Monday morning.
Malanyaon said she has been keen on promoting the province’s tourism sector, considering it is an effective way to boost the local economy, as it can create additional local job opportunities and generate revenue for local businesses.
“Having the region’s longest coastline, mostly facing the Pacific Ocean, Davao Oriental boasts waves offering surfers an excellent ride,” the governor said.
Giving the visitors a glimpse of the province, the governor gave the Presidential son and the surfers a tour of the Subangan Provincial Museum showcasing the area’s cultural and natural heritage. (PNA)
An official of the local government of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) disclosed to Edge Davao that ferry boat owners servicing the Davao City-IGaCoS ferry are planning to reroute their services to Talikud Island and Pantukan in Davao de Oro once the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project is completed.
Samal City Information officer Michael Anthony Homez in an interview said that seven ferry boats are currently servicing passengers from Davao City to Samal.
He said when the bridge is completed a ferry boat owner is planning to reroute his service from Samal to Kingking in Pantukan while the other investor is
eyeing to service the Kaputian to Talikud Island route.
“It is expected na ang mainland Samal mudaghan na ang traffic tungod sa tulay so mukusog na ang adventure sa island. So ang Talikud karon gina-prepare na namo naa nami government center and roads are currently being concreted in preparation sa tulay. Ready na ang Talikud to cater for another set of tourists,” Homez said.
FFERRY, P10
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported on Wednesday that based on their records the usual suspects in rape cases in the Davao Region involving minors are relatives and acquaintances of the victims.
“Kasagaran sa rape kasaragan suspect kaila ug relative. So dili nata mu kumpyansa karon sa kaila ug kabarkada. Labi na kung sa mga barkada nga inum inum unya mahubog, mao na
kasagaran sa among record kung minors. Sa rape cases, mas daghan ang minors compared sa adults as victims,” Police Major Catherine dela Rey, DCPO spokesperson, said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Dela Rey cited the case of the 9-year-old girl as an example who was reported missing on March 17, 2023 in Barangay Paquibato Proper in Paquibato
District and was found dead on March 21, 2023.
Dela Rey reported that the suspect Anecito Abejuela Tupas Jr, 31 years old, is a cousin of the victim.
Dela Rey said often rape cases were reported late because children are afraid of the perpetrators, embarrassed, and think they have no allies.
“Sa mga victims ayaw mo ug kahadlok ug dangop mo sa pu-
The House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to renew the grant of a travel tax exemption to travelers departing from all international airports and seaports in Mindanao and Palawan to any destination in Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
The committee fact sheet prepared by the House Special Committee on East ASEAN Growth Area recalled that travel tax exemption granted to all passengers originating from Mindanao and Palawan, by air and/or by sea, to any destination within the BIMP-EAGA by then-President Rodrigo Duterte through Mem-
orandum Order No. 23 in 2018 shall expire in May 2023.
“For reasons of national interest and in order to sustain and accelerate economic development in Mindanao and Palawan, it is vital, reasonable and proper for the national government to renew the policy that grants travel tax exemption for a period of five (5)
years, subject to review and overall assessment and impact analysis on the returns to the national government as basis for possible further extension,” House Resolution 454 read.
The fact sheet noted that among member countries, only the Philippines collects travel tax on its outbound international travels.
“It runs counter to the sub-regional objective of promoting the connectivity and accessibility of the EAGA focus areas as well as facilitating freer movement of people, goods and services,” the resolution read.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has opened a total of 111 One Town, One Product (OTOP) stores nationwide as of Tuesday.
The DTI told reporters in a message that 22 of these stores were established from January 2022 to February this year.
“These were established in partnership with external partners such as Alagang Ayala and CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) who provided rent-free spaces for some OTOP hubs,” it said.
OTOP is a priority stimulus program of the DTI for micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in different regions in the country.
This aims to promote products and services unique to the culture, community resources and competitive advantage of a locality. Products and services offered in OTOP hubs are those that localities are best known for.
On Monday, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1594, or the OTOP Philippines Act of 2023, which institutionalizes providing of package assistance for MSMEs with viable products for OTOP hubs.
The upper house also ap-
The country’s major exporting industries -- semiconductors and electronics, information technology and business process management (ITBPM) and garments and wearables -- appealed to the government Tuesday to immediately issue the resolution on value-added tax (VAT) zero-rating for exporters’ purchases.
olution.
The industry groups said failure to resolve the VAT zero-rating issue by end of this month “will have detrimental effects to these three sectors particularly in sustaining their growth potential”.
proved the bill in the third and final reading to support and promote inclusive growth in rural communities by bringing them closer to the mainstream market, helping them innovate and promoting Philippine products both in the local and foreign markets.
In this year’s General Appropriations Act (GAA), the DTI has an allocation of PHP97.07 million for the OTOP Next Generation, or OTOP Next Gen, with highest share of the budget to regions of Eastern Visayas (PHP14.13 million), National Capital Re
gion (PHP13.71 million), Cor-
FDTI, P10
In a joint statement of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) and the Confederation Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (Conwep), the industry groups called on the need to release the document before the end of the month.
“A solution has been promised by the end of the month which also coincides with the end of the first taxable quarter. As exporters, these three industries have claimed VAT zero-rating on their purchases consistent with existing local regulations and globally accepted principles allowing for the sectors to remain competitive,” they said.
The Fiscal Incentive Review Board (FIRB) is finalizing the res-
“The understanding of the sectors is that most of the government agencies involved in resolving the issue believe that there is clear basis for all purchases of exporters to be without the 12 percent VAT, given that this is not only allowed by the rules but is more importantly critical in ensuring that the prices at which the services and goods offered are able to remain competitive in the international market,” they added.
IBPAP, SEIPI and Conwep also underscored the need to address the confusion on the VAT issue for indirect exporters, such as healthcare, power, raw materials and other integral goods and services being provided to exporters.
“It is believed that the failure to address the VAT issue may have a crippling consequence on the parts localization initiatives of exporters and particularly affect their local suppliers who will
Pag-IBIG Fund disbursed PHP53.76 billion in cash loans, otherwise known as short-term loans, benefitting a record-high 2,612,491 members in 2022, agency officials reported Tuesday.
For 2022, the amount of short-term loans released by the agency increased by 21 percent or PHP9.46 billion compared to the PHP44.30 billion released in 2021.
With this amount, the number of members assisted through the program rose by 24 percent or more than half a million more than the 2,090,851 members in 2021.
“We at Pag-IBIG Fund exert all efforts in providing our members with assistance on their financial needs. We are happy to note that through our short-term loan program, we were able to aid more than 2.6 million Filipino workers gain added funds to tend to their needs last year. All our efforts are in line with the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to
Studentsin the Davao Region aspiring to establish their own startup businesses are encouraged to avail the free three-month intensive entrepreneurship and technopreneurship coaching program of the Davao City-based business incubator Upgrade Innolab (Upgrade).
For the Mindanao grid, the NGCP noted that actual peak demand in 2022 occurred on June 1 at 2:42 p.m., reaching 2,167 megawatts. The forecast peak for 2023 is expected at 2,395MW, which is a 10.52-percent increase.
provide the best service to the Filipino people,” Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, said in a statement.
Pag-IBIG Fund’s shortterm loan program includes its multi-purpose loan (MPL) and calamity loan.
Under the Pag-IBIG MPL, qualified members can borrow up to 80 percent of their total Pag-IBIG Regular Savings, which consists of their monthly contributions, their employer’s contributions, and accumulated dividends earned.
The calamity loan, on the other hand, is made available to members residing or working in areas declared under a state of calamity.
Of the total amount of cash loans released by the agency, PHP49.85 billion were in the form of Pag-IBIG MPLs, which helped 2,313,143 members, FPAG-IBIG, P10
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Power (NGCP) has warned the public of “thin power supply” in the summer “due to higher demand in 2023.”
The NGCP, in a press statement emailed to reporters on Monday, said that while its projections “show no occurrence of yellow or red alerts, there are
weeks between March and April where operating margins are below required levels due to higher demand and planned outages of plants.”
It added that “there are instances of forced or unplanned outages of plants which may disrupt the normal operations of the grid and warrant the issuance of yellow or red alerts.”
Forecast peak for Luzon is at 13,125MW, or an 8.35-percent increase during the peak in 2022, reaching 12,113MW on May 12 at 2:29 p.m. For the Visayas, expected peak is at 2,691MW, or a 16.19-percent increase compared to the actual peak on September 14, 2022, which reached 2,316MW. (Marivic Omandam Davis / MindaNews)
AGerman business dele-
gation is now exploring opportunities in the Philippines in energy efficiency business.
The five German companies involved in energy efficiency technology and solutions include SolarNext AG, MIG mbH, Hörmann KG, eeaser GmbH and
Ecoligo GmbH.
“These visiting German companies have the advanced technical know-how in the field of energy efficiency, and we are happy to provide the stage for them to connect with both key public and private stakeholders in the Philippines” said German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and In-
dustry (GPCCI) executive director Christopher Zimmer in a statement Tuesday.
GPCCI president Stefan Schmitz said there is an increasing interest from German firms to explore business opportunities in energy efficiency in the Philippines with the government’s
In comparing the Charter change efforts being done during his administration and the initiative during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte:
the
Constitution,
far as
S. PANES Director of Sales
VP Operations
Consultant
“No. The Charter change efforts are directed at
economic provisions of the
as
I understand. And so that’s what that is about... And the reason given by the proponents in the House and those in the Senate is that they need to be changed because these conditions have changed. And for us to take full advantage of the new economy, we have to amend the Constitution. So that’s not the same thing.”
President
FERDINAND MARCOS JR.
Davao’s first monument dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jose P. Rizal used to stand on the rotunda at the junction of Magallanes (Pichon Sr.) Street and Claveria (Recto) Street. This is the same site where a Bonifacio statue now proudly stands. Exactly when the Rizal statue was erected remains a focus of a hunt. What is clear, though, is that it was constructed before the Commonwealth was inaugurated.
The lost Rizal sculpture, painted in a traditional white hue, shows the national hero in his overcoat, his arms resting over the navel area, his cupped fingers holding both ends of what looks like a book. It is different from the postwar figures where the hero is depicted as having a book with his folded right arm or sitting on a stool holding a quill and writing.
With his familiar hairstyle
that parts on the right side of the temple, Rizal stands erect in his trademark greatcoat, his body facing towards the provincial and municipal halls.
The monument, removed from its pedestal in the late 1950s, has a lower base with three steps that afford ease during wreath-laying rites. There were two layers separating the lower base from the landing of the second base, where the die rests.
On both sides of the lower base were circular features for flowers and ornamentals. On the die, which is at the center between the lower platform and the plinth, are letters, probably the year of erection, in Roman alphabets, or most likely the marker of the monument.
Standing on the upper part of the lower base are eight mounted bowls or vases
equally distributed around the monument to form an octagon. These are shaped from floral petals design. Meanwhile, between the cap and the plinth (the upper section of the die) are curved designs with ends connecting to form perfect squares around the platform where the monu-ment stands.
Interestingly, the hunt for the historical Rizal monument has become a curiosity for those who want to see the original statue. Reports of the sculpture being moved to the cities of Mati and Cotabato persist, but the published pictures do not fit the suspected monuments.
The move to institutionalize the martyrdom of Rizal is not an American initiative. As ear-ly as December 20, 1898, then-president Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo already issued a proclama-tion declaring De-
cember 30 as a day of mourning for Rizal and other patriots who offered their lives in the name of freedom during the Spanish rule.
In response to public clamor, Act No. 243, signed on September 28, 1901, was passed by the US-constituted Philippine Commission granting the right to use the public land in Luneta for the Rizal monument commemorating the national hero’s memory, stipulating that the memorial does not only bear his statue but also houses his remains.
Even during the Japanese rule, the June 19 birthday of Dr. Rizal was still celebrated in Davao City. The imperial administration used the occasion to show unity with the Filipinos and to convey a semblance of empathy with the local residents who were furious of the atrocities committed towards
Davaoeños. But the event was only held in 1944, a year after the colonists reorganized the Philippine government under President Jose Protacio Laurel. The following year, the celebration was scrapped despite the liberation because the city was in utter ruins.
After the conflict, more laws were enacted to honor Rizal, such as Republic Act 229, which prohibits the holding of cockfights, horse races, and jai-alai every December 30 throughout the country and requires that flags be at half-staff during the day.
RA 1425 or the Jose Rizal Law, approved on June 12, 1956, makes the reading of Rizal’s life and works a compulsory topic to be included in all school curricula. The lack of educators to ably handle the subject has made the exercise less efficient and ineffective.
Companies around the globe are noticeably banking on technological advancements to grow their businesses and maintain the efficiency and relevance of their products, services and systems. The nature of the rapidly evolving world demands such, that only those that can keep pace, are expected to survive.
In the Philippines, the MVP Group has been espousing the adoption of technological developments to make lives better for its customers and the public it serves. Even in the past, the group has always put forward a growth mindset through innovations and technology as a means to improve lives.
In his recent interview with Context PH, MVP Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan or MVP underscored the plans and programs aimed at improving the delivery of services across various companies and units.
According to him, growing the Philippines’ largest telecommunications and digital services provider PLDT is hinged on a two-pronged approach. One is to continuously develop the core business
which is to provide fixed-line and wireless telco services. In many ways, MVP said that technology plays a huge part as it impacts on 5G, home broadband and enterprise. The other aspect, which MVP qualified as the more crucial one -- is the development of an intellectual capital business on top of the physical layer of PLDT. This includes ventures with data centers that go beyond the real estate aspect, and the development of business solutions that improve efficiency.
“We have to focus on that because that’s really where the future values would be -- solutions and applications for both individuals and companies,” MVP was quoted as saying in his interview, adding that he is encouraging PLDT to take a piece of equity in trailblazing technologies the MPIC group is setting up. Among them are mWell, the country’s first fully integrated and fully digital health and wellness platform, and the DriveHub travel companion app which offers mobility solutions such as RFID transactions, trip planning and roadside assistance.
On the power sector meanwhile, MVP earnestly talked about the technology that is garnering much attention today -- the adoption of nuclear. Its arrival in the country is imminent, that much he believes, but it will still take several years for the country to fully be able to utilize the technology for distribution scale. Small nuclear modular plants are most fitting for the country being an archipelago and will be most useful to areas not serviced by the main power grid.
Meralco, group’s power subsidiary and the country’s biggest electric distribution utility, has included sourcing from nuclear technology as part of its long-term plans under the sustainability agenda “Powering the Good Life”.
In order to lay the groundwork for this, MVP harped on the importance of human capital, “Are we preparing ourselves for that day? Do we have enough nuclear people -- nuclear scientists, nuclear engineers, such as we can operate a plant properly once built. We should prepare for that day by sponsoring scholarships for nuclear engineers so we have
adequate staff,” he said.
MVP also put emphasis on capability-building from the government side, particularly on regulatory, to be able to understand the risks associated with nuclear plants. “Otherwise, it will be like the blind leading the blind, so we got to prepare for that day,” he said.
He has high hopes that positive developments will come into fruition, especially since the current administration, under President Bongbong Marcos is seriously pushing for nuclear as the power technology of the future.
In fact, even beyond power issues, MVP said he is “pleasantly surprised” at the governance style of President BBM. He expounded, saying, “The president is very engaging. He has a quick grasp of the issues, intellectually curious, he asks relevant questions. Very basic to him is he really means to do something good for his people and I think he’s very serious about it.”
For the business community, this is a good start, as President BBM is also perceived as receptive to the private sector’s help in terms of projects and initiatives that will
fuel economic growth, consequently improving Filipinos’ lives.
Reflective of the telco and power businesses’ drive towards innovation, businesses within the MVP Group follow suit. The group has expressed support to the GoDigital agenda of the government’s Private Sector Advisory Council through digitalization of its companies’ operations. Maynilad launched its Customer Care QR code as a convenient means for its customers to initiate contactless transactions. Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) meanwhile teamed up with the Airspeed Group of Companies to bring PopBox, a smart locker system that allows people to use the system as a collection point for receiving packages.
All these initiatives and programs point to how MVP is a man ahead of the times -his growth mindset cascading from the boardroom to the thousands of employees who man the MVP group’s critical businesses, so that consumers, the public, and most especially the country, will ultimately benefit from a vision of a better Philippines.
The youth continues to be one of the most vulnerable sectors in society, especially in the digital environment. For this reason, Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia), ChildFund Korea, and ChildFund Philippines, in partnership with TikTok Asia Pacific, organized a two-part dialogue and consultation aimed at creating a safe, inclusive and friendly digital space for children.
Guided by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment, the intergenerational dialogue between the youth, child rights-focused NGOs, and TikTok was organized to determine children’s sentiments and experiences towards their use of online platforms and the issues they encounter involving personal privacy, false/harmful information, and even sexual abuse and exploitation.
“The digital space is very dynamic and quickly evolving, so it demands a lot from us to be open to learn new things, but at the same time it also challenges us to hold on to the principles of transparency, solidarity, and of course kindness to each other because these are also the principles that we want to be able to share to our children,” says Amihan Abueva, CRC Asia’s Regional Executive Director.
The objective of the discourse is to proactively engage the youth in co-creating a safe, inclusive, child-friendly digital space. There were a total of 30 participants aged 13 to 18, with diverse gender profile and came from different parts of the country including Metro Manila, Cabanatuan, Pampanga, Laguna, Olongapo, Quezon, Zamboanga, Ozamiz, and Cagayan de Oro.
During the consultation, the youth participants touched on enhancing the terms of data privacy policies with a more creative and child-friendly approach. They also proposed integrating digital literacy in the younger generation’s curriculum and educating the parents as well. The youths also emphasized their call for the government sector, specifically the Department of Education represented by the Learners Rights Protection Office (LRPO), to constantly work with civil society organizations (CSOs) and strengthen law implementation in the country. The youths also shared that, while social media platforms boost their confidence by letting them freely share their own expressions of gender and sexuality, they still experience being unsafe on the internet as a public platform.
The participants were commended for proactively sharing their experiences on
the use of digital platforms and for showing their eagerness to participate in achieving the objectives of the dialogue.
“I want to thank all the young people who expressed their thoughts and experiences with us. It was inspiring to see their awareness of digital literacy and their ability to take charge of it. This was a great avenue for us to empower more youths on the platform by building better and safer digital space for them. Moreso, the suggestions they shared will strengthen the industry’s safety policies involving minors and enforce support for local laws such as RA 11930, which aims to prevent online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. We are eager to continue our collaboration with the government and NGOs to co-create a safer and more responsible online community for everyone,” says Nathaniel Ong, Trust and Safety Program Manager at TikTok.
Also at the dialogue, child rights organizations, government institutions and TikTok conversed on the presented views and opinions of children to build more strategic ways in ensuring that young people have the opportunity to empower themselves in addressing online risks so that they can safely maximize the benefits offered by the digital environment
Other child rights-focused organizations likewise shared that they were encouraged to further improve their programming by leveling up their online and offline interventions that contribute to the development of children’s digital citizenship and in strengthening children’s agency in creating a safer online space.
Reaching to a consensus, all organizations and institutions agreed that they needed to closely work on addressing online disinformation, misinformation and malinformation and teaching children and youth on how to be discerning and responsible digital citizens; how to find the balance between maximizing digital platforms as a source of knowledge and how to make them aware of the risks while not restraining their own freedom of expression.
“The past days were such a wonderful experience. I hope there are more opportunities to engage and discuss with the government, CSOs, and tech companies to develop capacities across all stakeholders. I’m very appreciative of TikTok and I hope that this is not the end of this workshop. Hopefully we can bring this not only to the Philippines but to other countries as well,” says Jinyi Park, Global Program Manager and Communications of ChildFund Korea.
We’ve all seen Alden Richards take on different roles in his acting stint, but in his latest project with mobile network TM, the Pambansang Bae turns into a new superhero called TM Extendable with the PAWER TO EXTEND good vibes to Filipinos.
Turning on the gamer mode in him and bringing out his gaming skills and techniques, Alden played Mobile Legends to extend help to young avid players for a winning streak.
At first, these avid gamers, who also happen to be Alden’s fans, weren’t aware that they were teaming up with their favorite TM Ambassador in a day of uninterrupted gaming and fun. The four lucky ka-TMs initially played with Espada02 and were amazed by his pawer game play and extended tactics, which helped them win the first round.
As excitement and adrenaline rushed in, they requested to extend for one more game to continue their winning streak because they believed that Espada02 could be their true-to-life hero who is helping them win the games. To their surprise, TM Extendable Alden Richards was Espada02! They were amazed and happy to be playing side-by-side with their gaming hero. And true enough, they won the next round.
For Alden, aside from extending good vibes to others through great game play and helping players rank up in their favorite game, he also would want to extend more time with his family, especially with his grandparents, and make the most out of the days he can spend with them. He believes in the pawer of an extended day because it means he has more time to enjoy the company of his loved ones.
Watch how TM
Extendable Alden Richards used his pawer to extend for a fun-filled game here. We Got Da Pawer with TM
EASYSURF 50 FREE EXTEND Like Alden, TM also wants to give its customers the pawer of free extend, so they can achieve more diskarte in life, especially for gamers who need an extra day to win more games and level up their heroes with their friends.
TM’s EASYSURF50 FREE EXTEND is a sulit pawer move that gives Ka-TMs the most value out of their data promo by PLUS ONE DAY FREE to maximize their unused open-access GBs to continuously enjoy mobile gaming with their friends and family. With TM, WE GOT DA PAWER! Ka-TMs can get the best out of this offer until April 30, 2023 by registering to EasySURF50
and texting “Free Extend” to 8080. This one-day free extend freebie can be claimed once for every active EASYSURF 50 registration.
Follow TM Tambayan in all social media channels to catch how the TM Extendables shared good vibes, fun, and diskarte moves to our ka-TMs and to know more about TM’s latest offers.
Aeon Luxe Properties Incorporated (ALPI) hosted a Grand Open House from March 1-3 at Aeon Towers - its flagship project in Davao City.
The event coincided with the 86th Araw ng Davao celebration.
The event also provided buyers with an up-close look of their upscale units as well as massive discounts on selected units.
In the luxury real estate market, ALPI stands out for its exceptional properties that attract premium clients. The newest addition to ALPI’s property portfolio is Aeon Bleu, a six-building horizontal development project with resort-style amenities located at F.S. Dizon, Bacaca Road, Davao City.
Aeon Bleu is set to redefine upscale living in metro Davao. Further, another purpose of this planned community is to help its residents reach their full potential by providing them with a setting where their personal and professional lives can thrive and coexist. It’s also supposed to integrate sustainability without sacrificing sophisticated and modern
features that improve your quality of life.
During the three-day Open House, ALPI’s Sales Team were hands-on throughout the day, even extending until late night, to answer queries and provide more details about the properties and their features. What’s more, guests enjoyed a delectable feast while exploring various unit types available in the Showroom.
The Open House was a resounding success, attracting a large number of guests. With the exciting giveaways, opulent feast, and massive discounts, attendees were able to take advantage of this limited-time offer to invest in a luxurious property and network with other guests. As usual, the event ended with a massive sale, making it another open house event to remember.
The success of the Open House demonstrates the growing demand for luxury properties in the city. ALPI has established itself as a leading developer in the region, offering residents the best urban living in the heart of Davao City.
NO... FROM 2
“Effective March 20, suspended na ang PTCFOR para malikayan ang firearm related incidents during sa Ironman 70.3,” she said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
She said random checkpoints will be intensified at the entry of Davao City and Davao Region.
“Definitely naa ta’y mga random checkpoints dungag sa atoang mga border areas and entrances checkpoints,” she said.
Meanwhile, Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO 11), disclosed last week that as part of the preparation, PRO 11 has augmented almost 4,000 PNP personnel to provide security, particularly for Ironman events.
“We will be busy giving security sa Ironman na magtraverse from Davao City to Tagum City kaya napaka higpit na ng ating preparasyon diyan,” she said.
Homez said the timeline given by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the LGU of Samal is 2027 or 2028 for the completion of the bridge.
A facility, which will serve as the temporary headquarters
be more at risk should they lose their market,” the groups said. It added that investment promotion agencies like the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Board of Investments, Clark Development Corporation, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, among others, are in the best position to endorse list goods and services eligible for VAT zero-rating purchased by exporters from Philippine-based suppliers.
IBPAP, SEIPI and Conwep cited that their industries’ combined contribution to the country’s exports of goods and services in 2022 reached USD89 billion, or 69 percent of the country’s total export revenues last year, sharing 20 percent to total gross domestic product in 2022.
The semiconductors and electronics, ITBPM and garments and wearables sectors are also directly employing 2.5 million Filipinos and created 6.75 million indirect jobs.
“Their ability to further contribute to the country’s GDP and reach their potential to provide employment to millions
The fact sheet said the measure aims to promote tourism and trade activities and encourage mobility of passengers traveling by air and sea from Palawan and Mindanao to any destination in the BIMP-EAGA sub-region.
“More particularly, it has produced economic benefits in terms of increased business activities, remarkable growth in tourism development, additional air and sea services in the transportation sector, and heightened sociocultural ties among the people in the growth area,” it read.
more Filipinos depend so much on having clear and consistent government policies and regulations. These are essential to ensuring ease of doing business and cost competitiveness, which always rate highly in the decision of existing and prospective investors in choosing their investment locations,” the industry groups said. (PNA)
dillera Administrative Region (PHP6.26 million), Caraga (PHP6.55 million) and Calabarzon (PHP5.69 million).
FROM 11 permits as only police officers, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, and other law enforcement agencies who are on duty and wearing their agency uniforms are allowed to carry firearms.
OTOP Next Gen is one of the two components of the DTI’s program, supporting the supply side of the program.
The DTI said OTOP Next Gen provides package of assistance to capacitate MSMEs which include product development initiatives, training, referral and other initiatives to help them improve their products in terms of design, quality and volume, among others.
The other component is the OTOP.PH (Philippines Hub), which supports the supply side of the program. This includes providing physical and online channels and market access platforms for OTOP products.
lis,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dela Rey reported that rape remains the top crime in Davao City followed by theft and murder from January to February this year.
with 30 seconds left. The Thunder inbounded, but missed a shot and Leonard grabbed the rebound.
Leonard dribbled down the final seconds but was hounded by Thunder defenders and his potential game-winning shot missed.
The teams kept it close throughout the third. Gilgeous-Alexander scored the Thunder’s final 10 points and they trailed 81-80 going into the final period.
The Clippers blew a 14-point lead to start the game. They opened on an 18-4 run, but the Thunder tied it up minutes later.
while PHP3.91 billion were in the form of calamity loans, which in turn aided 299,348 members.
Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive officer Marilene Acosta cited the reliability and ease of access in availing the PagIBIG’s MPL and calamity loan as the main drivers for its strong growth.
for the Chinese workers that will build the bridge, is now being built in Samal. Its construction signals the beginning of the bridge’s construction.
Meanwhile, Homez is optimistic that the bridge will also address the long queue at the
wharfs going to Samal.
“Grabe ang linya kung Saturdays, Sundays, and during summer but other than that pagkagabii gamay na lang ang galinya. The solution is coming na, yung tulay man gyud ang solution,” he said.
Currently, there are 15 rape cases recorded from the period of January to February this year wherein the majority of the victims are minors.
By Maya M. Padillo“We at Pag-IBIG Fund are aware that millions of our members rely on our MPL for their immediate financial needs and our calamity loan to help rebuild their lives. That is why we have made these loan programs more accessible and easier to avail for our members,” Acosta said.
“Today, our members can easily and conveniently apply for these loans through many channels, which include their employers, our more than 200 branches and services offices nationwide, or online via the virtual Pag-IBIG or the virtual Pag-IBIG mobile app. What’s more, we also have our Lingkod Pag-IBIG On Wheels, which are currently going around the country, ready to receive loan applications from members, particularly those from underserved and calamity-stricken areas.” (PR)
strong push for energy efficiency and conservation.
Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) president Alexander Ablaza said, “Aside from its cost-saving benefits, energy efficiency is one of the most labor-intensive activities in the energy sector. There is a huge potential for investment opportunities in the Philippines and can generate more green jobs.”
The German business delegation is scouting for local partners from March 20 to 24.
Aside from the conference held in Makati City Tuesday, the delegation will also meet Philippine counterparts through business-to-business meetings, visiting project sites and other business networking activities.
The visit of the German delegation is organized by Eclareon and the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. (PNA)
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George got hurt in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night’s (Wednesday, Manila time) 101-100 loss to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
George went down under the Thunder’s basket with 4:38 remaining. He lay on his back for several minutes before be-
any weight on his right leg.
George had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. His potential loss could prove costly to a team harboring hopes of winning its first NBA championship.
points for the Thunder.
George had a highlight dunk in the third, rotating 360 degrees before slamming the ball in the hoop as the crowd cheered.
The game was tied 91-all when George went down. Leonard scored before the Thunder ran off six points in a row to take a 97-93 lead.
Let us join hands and pray for the miracle healing of Ginebra’s pointguard LA Tenorio who was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.
Inspite of the stunning sad medical findings, LA himself, in the company of SMC sports director AlFrancis Chua, announced it to his teammates and coaches during one practice day.
He has also undergone surgery in Singapore.
LA is an exceptional person that matches his playing skills. His positive approach to life and his deep faith in God strengthen his will to survive and overcome his current situation.
******* As we went to press Wesdnesday, Meralco was battling Magnolia in the quarterfinals while topnotcher TNT was crossing blades versus number 8 Phoenix.
Coach Norman Black has said they were focusing their defense on Paul Lee who has been on an explosive foray in Magnolia’s great recovery.
Sorry Norman, I disagree. While the Hotshots went on a winning spree after losing their first 3 games, Lee is not the secret weapon.
Magnolia’s chemistry and fortess-like defense which coach Chito Victolero imbibed in his
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points against his former team. Jalen Williams added 20
Leonard and George stepped up in the second half after shooting a combined 5 of 16 in the first half, but it wasn’t enough.
Nicolas Batum hit a jumper to pull the Clippers to 101-100. The Clippers lost a coach’s challenge of an out-of-bounds call
ing helped to his feet. Supported by staff on either side, George headed to the locker room, appearing to barely be able to put FTHUNDER, P10
boys over the years have transfoemed the Hotshots into a formidable quingtet.
Let’s face it. Whenever the game is on the line, Lee is Victolero’s go-to guy. Very reliable, hot-shooting hands.
Black should be credited though for steering the Bolts to a twice to beat position.
This puts enormous pressure on Magnolia to exert 110% to take Game 1 or go home.
It’s a 50-50, if you ask me.
Black is lucky he got KJ McDaniels for his import. A journeyman in the PBA import-laced Gov’s Cup, McDaniels has proven to be reliable and disciplined as
well as fit as a fiddle.
Antonio Hester is likewise what the doctors ordered for Magnolia.
Whatever stats each import produced in the elims won’t matter because the quartefinals is altogether a new level.
Which means that whoever between McDaniels and Hestor produces hefty contribution in socring, rebounding and defense will help push his team to victory.
Hester, a first-timer in Asia’s first pro league, has proven his mettle in all departments of the game.
He scores, defends well, rebounds astoundingly well and has an eye for the open man. He may
not produce a double double and scores 30 or more, but he has consistency.
Not to demean KJ, but there are games where his consistency has been found wanting. That is why the Bolts were on a rollercoaster ride.
T’would be interesting to see one import guarding the other.
Between TNT and Phoenix, I cannot see why the former will not establish its superiority in firepower and defensive ability. Expect more exciting, downthe-wire explosive matches.
(Email feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
BingoPlus, the first live-streaming bingo in the Philippines and official bingo partner of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 47th season, added fun and value to the recently held PBA All-Star Week in Passi, Iloilo by engaging fans and live audiences in games with fun prizes.
BingoPlus was Event Partner of the All Star Week and also donated P150,000 to the Passi One Elementary School, a beneficiary of the PBA, to help in the ongoing improvements of the school.
To contribute more fun to the basketball celebration, BingoPlus awarded P30,000 to the Most Valuable Player of the Greats vs. Stalwarts game participated in by the pro league’s rookies, sophomores and juniors. Adrian Wong of the Magnolia Timplados Hot Shots won the award for his stellar play.
During the highlight event of the week -- the All Star Game between Team Japeth and Team Scottie -- BingoPlus let fans experience the fun and entertainment value of the
brand by letting them play the BingoPlus free-throw game where winners received 1,500 BingoPlus credits. BingoPlus also awarded Paul Lee, the MVP of the All Star Game, with P30,000.
Always driven by its mission to support sports, entertainment, cultural events and other leisure activities that reflect the fun nature of the brand, BingoPlus also participated in the highly anticipated PBA out of town basketball extravaganza to pay tribute to the famous Pintados de Pasi Festival. The cultural and historical festival commemorates the cityhood anniversary of Passi City and is a thanksgiving for bountiful blessings received during the year.
