Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 295 | Friday, March 31, 2023

INCOME GENERATION

Ordinance to levy fees on use of storage facilities gains ground

A Ronald McDonald mascot cheers up the children, who are beneficiaries of Bahay Bulilit Learning Center during the facility’s turn over to Barangay Tibungco on Thursday. Bahay Bulilit Learning Center is a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities in partnership with the local government unit and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Lean Daval Jr.

INCOME GENERATION

Ordinance to levy fees on use of storage facilities gains ground

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, chairperson of the finance committee of the city council, is pushing for the approval of an ordinance imposing fees for the use of the cold storage facilities at the Malagos “AA” Slaughterhouse to increase the revenue of the city.

DSWD-11 helps conjoined twins, warns vs. posers

cass, blasting at P5 per kilo, and cold storage at P.40 per kilo.

For the use of equipment in the operations area, the city treasurer is mandated to collect the following fees: weighing scale for live hogs at P10 per head, and electronic/computerized weighing scale for carcasses at P10 per carcass.

The ordinance also ordered

‘infighting’ leaves 3 dead in Maguindanao Sur

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD11) has extended assistance to the parents of conjoined twins who were victimized by a person allegedly posing as a DSWD employee and running away with donations worth around PHP50,000 intended for the twins’ treatment.

Kristelle May Cagatin, DSWD-11 information officer, said in an interview they have already filed a police report about the incident.

“Apart from the regular assistance, we also provided legal aid to the family,” she added.

Under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, DSWD-11 provided PHP5,000 financial aid as an initial response for the treatment of the newborn twins.

The agency continues to coordinate with the family for other services needed for the hospitalization and operation of the twins, Cagatin said.

DSWD-11 warned the public anew against individuals pre-

tending to be connected with the department and promising financial aid, medical assistance, and other services without the assessment of its social workers.

The agency urged the public to be vigilant in giving out personal information and to not entertain individuals, especially those who communicate through online platforms and mobile phone calls, identifying themselves as officials or employees of the department promising assistance or help.

The DSWD condemned the act and assured the public that it is currently investigating the pilfering of the donations to determine if the concerned individual is an employee of or connected with the agency.

“Individuals seeking medical, burial, transportation, educational assistance, among others, must proceed to the nearest DSWD Field or Satellite Office in their area for proper assessment and assistance to the agency’s AICS program,” the DSWD said. (PNA)

Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) spokesperson Major Eudisan Gultiano discusses the police force’s preparations for the upcoming summer vacation and the Lenten season during this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao Light customers to enjoy reduced power rate

At least 12 dead after ship burns off Basilan

At least 12 people died after a commercial vessel caught fire off Balukbuk Island in Basilan around 11:40 p.m. on Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard-Basilan said.

The MV Mary Joy 3, which is owned by Aleson Shipping Lines, was carrying some 200 passengers.

In a phone interview at noon Thursday, Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman-Salliman told MindaNews that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has reported 12 casualties so far.

Two of the fatalities were identified as 3-year old Fadzrina Lasal, of Tabuk, Isabela City, and Husin Halul Hamid. Also among the cadavers was that of a boy estimated to be 6 months old.

A 9-year old boy was reportedly separated from his mother.

Personnel from the Naval Forces Western Command and PCG had rescued 121 passengers as of 4 a.m. on Thursday.

By MAYA M. PADILLO

An official of the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) disclosed on Wednesday that customers will enjoy reduced power rates middle of the month.

Mayor Arsina Ano of Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan said that by 6 a.m., 195 passengers and 35 crew members were accounted for. The figure included the dead and those who were reported missing.

Sister vessel MV Mary Joy 2 brought six unidentified cadavers to Zamboanga City. It also transported 105 rescued passengers to the city for medical treatment.

The company sent another boat to Isabela City in Basilan where 64 rescued passengers were sheltered by the local government at the evacuation center near Bulwagan Hall. Seventeen others were confined at the Basilan General Hospital and Infante Hospital.

Meanwhile, Aleson Shipping Lines has expressed willingness to shoulder the hospitalization expenses of the registered passengers of the ill-fated vessel.

According to the registration manifest of the PCG, the boat had

“It started sometime middle of the month. We bill our customers in 22 batches, some batch numbers will start lowering at 38 centavos or close to 40 centavos and will enjoy that sometime middle of the month until next month,” said Rodger S. Velasco,

president, and chief operating officer of DLPC, during Wednesdays at Habi at Kape.

After lowering the power rate to P11.52 per kilowatt-hour in February this year, DLPC announced earlier this month that it is reducing its power rate once

again.

DLPC again reduced the price by 38 centavos per kWh, to P11.14 for the residential.

Velasco cited DLPC’s participation in the Mindanao-based Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) because of its cheap price.

‘Naa nata’y WESM and during intervals where prices are low we dispatch WESM, we buy from FDAVAO, P10

Bill seeking scholarships, incentives to farmers’ dependents pushed

Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte filed a bill seeking to encourage more youth to pursue a career in agriculture and take on the challenges facing the vital sector.

Duterte, together with Benguet Representative Eric Yap and Representative Edvic Yap of ACT-CIS Party-list, filed House Bill 7572, which seeks to provide

subsidies to children of qualified indigent farmers who will enroll in agriculture courses and other related fields of study in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

This is in addition to the free tuition through Republic Act (RA) 10931, often known as the Universal Access to Excellent Tertiary Education Act.

Under RA 10931 dependents of indigent

farmers are eligible for free tuition and other school fees, as well as other incentives and subsidies like living and transportation allowances, if they meet the admissions requirements for agriculture and other related courses.

The qualified indigent farmer is someone who is listed in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s)

Ice Seguerra, together with Dr. Michael Manalaysay, vice chair for external affairs of Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Pediatrics and president of Anak Kaugmaon Foundation, promotes his 35th anniversary concert dubbed “Ice Seguerra Live in Davao” slated on April 28 at SMX Convention Davao in Lanang,

Davao City during a presser held at Park Inn by Radisson Davao on Thursday. Proceeds of the concert will benefit Anak Kaugmaon Foundation. Lean Daval Jr.

PH debt balloons to new record P13.75T in Feb.

ThePhilippine government’s running debt balance swelled to a new record high as of the end of February 2023 on the back of increased fundraising efforts through the domestic debt market, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported Thursday.

Treasury data showed the end-February outstanding debt stood at p13,75 trillion, up 0.4% from P13.7 trillion as of end-January.

The BTr said the higher debt stock during the period was “primarily due to the net issuance of domestic securities.”

In a commentary, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the wider debt balance was in view of the issuance of P288.711-billion 5.5-year Retail Treasury Bond in February.

“The latest net borrowings

of the national government may reflect the need to finance the budget deficits in recent months, also partly due to higher prices/ inflation that also fundamentally increased/bloated government expenditures, higher interest rates/financing costs that added to the government’s debt servicing costs, still relatively weaker peso exchange rate vs. the US dollar compared to a year ago that increased the peso equivalent of the national government’s outstanding debts,” Ricafort said. The lion’s share of the total debt pile or 68.7% was sourced

from domestic borrowings while 31.3% was sourced externally.

In particular, domestic debt totaled P9.44 trillion, up 0.6% from P9.38 trillion as of end-January “due to the net availment of domestic financing amounting to P55.88 billion and the P1.34 billion effect of local currency depreciation against the US dollar on onshore foreign denominated securities.”

Foreign debt, meanwhile, amounted to P4.31 trillion, down 0.1% from P4.313 trillion monthon-month.

The Treasury said the lower foreign borrowings during the period was due to the P21.15 billion net repayment of foreign loans and P32.32 billion impact of third-currency adjustments against the US dollar.

“These outweighed the effect

FPH, P10

PEZA investment approvals up 53% to P12.54-B in Q1

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has reported that its investment approvals in the first quarter of 2023 amounted to PHP12.54 billion, 54 percent higher compared to the same

period a year ago.

In a statement Wednesday, PEZA said these pledges came from 42 new and expansion projects.

Two of the newly approved projects are from ecozone de-

Chemical, food maker posts record-high earnings in 2022

Filipino-owned food, chemicals, plastics and consumer product manufacturer D&L Industries has registered record-high earnings in 2022 amid volatilities and challenges in the global economy.

In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, president and chief executive officer (CEO) Alvin Lao said the company recorded PHP3.3 billion net income last year, exceeding the previous record of PHP3.187 billion hit in 2018.

“Just when we thought that we are at the tail-end of the challenges brought about by the pandemic, 2022 presented a fresh set of challenges which were mostly on the macroeconomic front. Nonetheless, our record earnings this year demonstrated the resilience that we have built over the years through the various crises that we have gone through,” he said.

“Ang problem na lang this year might be high interest rates relative to previous years but definitely mukhang this year is much better than last year (The only problem this year might be the high interest rates relative to previous years but definitely, it looks like this year is much better than last year),” he said.

Lao said the listed firm is looking forward to the commercial operation of its manufacturing plant in Tanauan, Batangas around the middle of this year.

But he noted that as in the past, the new plant is not expected to have a high contribution to their productions immediately.

“This plant will be transformational for us from a sustainable growth perspective. It will add the capabilities that will allow us to increase our relevance in the overall production chain and service new and bigger customers globally,” he added.

velopers, while the other 40 projects will be operating inside PEZA zones across the country.

FPEZA, P10

For this year, Lao aims for continued improvement in their earnings after noting that the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases have declined, supply chain issues have been addressed, the peso has stabilized and prices of raw materials have done down.

In the last quarter of 2022, the company registered pre-pandemic levels of growth on high-margin specialty products (HMSP) at 6.4 percentage points and commodity margins by 4.5 percentage points.

Lao said the improvement in

For the first time, a double-decker bus plies the cities of Koronadal and General Santos. The bus was seen traversing the national highway in Koronadal on Wednesday (29 March 2023). MindaNews photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO

SSS-Davao runs after delinquent employers

Marcos admin pushing for improved connectivity: DTI

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Wednesday underscored the Marcos administration’s push to improve connectivity across the country.

During the Urban Land Institute of the Philippines Conference 2023 at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City, Pascual said the government vows to build better and more infrastructure that would balance growth in urban and rural areas.

“Connecting urban centers and rural areas, we enable more balanced growth among regions, too,” he said.

Pascual said the government targets to connect economic zones, trade centers, manufacturing, and logistics hubs to address bottlenecks in the supply and transport of goods. Efficient transport and logistics will also help curb inflation.

“The development of robust infrastructure is the key to unlocking business opportunities

TheSocial Security System (SSS)-Davao branch is eyeing PHP3 million in collection from nine delinquent employers served with show cause orders during Wednesday’s first implementation of the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) for this year.

and stimulating and sustaining economic growth. By investing in high-quality infrastructure, we not only enhance the overall business environment but also pave the way for increased investment,” he added.

Pascual said the government is spending at least 5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) on infrastructure, both physical and digital.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board recently approved high-impact 194 infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) worth PHP9 trillion.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been vocal that he wants to use the capital of the private sector by implementing the public-private partnership (PPP) model in selected IFPs where PPP is more effective.

Mary Ellen Estoque, SSS acting vice president for Mindanao South 1 Division, said they have issued a notice for the delinquent employers and gave them a 15day compliance period or face criminal prosecution.

“We have served notice to the nine establishments and all

of them accepted that they have delinquencies,” she said in a press briefing.

The violation of the establishments stemmed from the non-remittance of SSS contributions among its employees since 2022.

The businesses of the delinquent employers include trans-

port service, non-socialized wholesale trade, machine shop, wellness services, retail sale of liquefied petroleum gas and other fuel products, motor vehicle battery repair, and retail selling in non-specialized stores.

“We have sent them notices and statements of account for the past several weeks, but they did not comply,” Estoque said, adding they will be conducting 16 more RACE operations within the year.

The RACE implementation aims to remind and instill awareness to the employers that they

More than 5K jobs available in 2-day tourism job fairs: DOLE

Job seekers, especially those looking for opportunities in the tourism sector, may participate in the second special simultaneous job fairs that will run from Thursday to Friday in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday.

ment (BLE) said more than 5,000 jobs would be made available at the “2nd Trabaho Turismo Asenso Philippine Tourism Job Fairs” to be held in different malls in Pampanga (Central Luzon), Iloilo City (Western Visayas), and Cagayan de Oro City (Northern Mindanao).

said BLE director Patrick Patriwirawan.

The venues for the event are Robinson’s Starmills in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Robinson’s Iloilo in Iloilo City; and Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.

“Of the 194 recently approved flagship projects by the NEDA Board, 45 will be financed through collaboration with the FMARCOS, P10 FMORE, P10

In a social media post, the DOLE - Bureau of Local Employ-

“The estimated number of vacancies solicited is at 5,686,”

The available employment includes those in the hotel indus-

Store attendants prepare California Maki at a food stall inside Abreeza Mall in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

FSSS-DAVAO, P10

An erstwhile volunteer in the Spanish-American War in Cuba before going to the coun-try, Edward E. Christensen, an American planter in Davao during the prewar period, is re-membered for his early success in homesteading in Padada, Davao del Sur, where his 3,000-hectare coconut plantation bearing his name was situated.

Despite managing both his farm and the adjacent Mindanao Estates Plantation principal-ly owned by Paul Gulick and Burdett Crumb, Christensen earned more from cultivating his homestead, which gave him an annual return of $2,300, the equivalent of P4,600. A home-stead in Davao at the time consisted of 24 hectares and was planted with about 2,400 coco-nuts.

To be productive, an average of one hundred trees per hectare is taken as an av-

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

CHRISTENSEN AND HOMESTEAD

erage, with about four trees yielding a picul of dry copra valued at $4, giving the owner an annual cropping yield of $100 per hectare, a conservative estimate. On top of this, Christensen also got extra income from raising chickens, catch-crops, cattle, and other farm produce, making his earnings from copra the figured net.

In 1928, in an interview, Christensen lamented ‘that the old days are gone and that now-adays the job of getting a good homestead under cultivation is not to be successfully tackled by the young man without capital.’ His talk was published by The American Chamber of Com-merce Journal in its July 1928 issue (‘The Mindanao Problem: Plantations The Solution.’), stat-ing:

“Say he has 3,000 capital, P6,000. Christensen divides this sum into three, $1,000

for fixed expenses, $1,000 for living expenses, $1,000 for planting. The whole farm cannot be put un-der cultivation with this amount, but perhaps ten hectares may be, in a period of two years; and after ten years, the 1,000 coconuts in these ten hectares should be yielding an annual in-come of $2,000 net. It is seen that the capital of $3,000 is exhausted at the end of two years; the homesteader may contrive by one means or another to eke out a livelihood until his 1,000 coconuts begin bearing profitably, but he cannot put another hectare under cultivation. Without a farm loan, ten hectares are the very best a single man can do with a capital of $3,000. If married, he must not try to start with less than $5,000 or $6,000, and $10,000 is much safer.”

Christensen was optimistic that if homesteaders are

given mortgage loans (which were not available in Davao at the time) to fund the cultivation of their farms, they will succeed. He did not recommend homesteading for single men because it “is lonely and uninviting,” and “is best left to the native farmer.” If a loan could be taken, he advised an interested per-son to face the hazard of homesteading because “the risks and hardships outweigh the possi-ble returns.”

Summarizing the Christensen interview, the journal continues:

“Instead of homesteading, Christensen recommends plantation corporations taking up their lawful allotment of ,1024 hectares of land, or something less, and financed by a capital of not less than P 100,000, $50,000. This method eliminates the loneliness and hardships, and judicious utilization of the capital will

ATTY. GILBERTO LAUENGCO, J.D. OBLIQUE OBSERVATIONS

MUSINGS ON THE WATER CRISIS

“There is simply no way to overstate the water crisis of the planet today” - Maude Barlow

Stuck in traffic on a hot day, I find myself thinking about water and more specifically about the water crisis.

Lately, there has been a surge of pronouncements on the looming and “creeping” water crisis in the metropolitan area and the country in general. Our news feeds are filled with water crisis related items.

This summer, we are again told to expect some water shortages or disruptions in the water supply. Calls for conservation and efficient water usage fill the air. People are beginning to remember the water shortage of 2019 in Metro Manila. It must be recalled that on March 6, 2019, about 10,000 households across Metro Manila began to lose water supplies.[1] On March 11, the water level in La Mesa Dam

reached 68.93 masl (meters above sea level) , below its critical level of 69 masl. The lowest in a decade.

Clearly, our problem with water has been increasing over the past decades. Our country has a dry season that lasts six to eight months that leave us vulnerable due to our dependence on the natural supply of water. When an El Niño phenomenon occurs, the situation is aggravated with lesser rainfall and higher temperatures. Population concentrated on a few urban centers have accelerated the effects of this crisis. The 2019 incident crystallized to many the urgency of the problem.

There is a bill now pending in Congress that seeks to create a Department of Water Resources. Several sectors have expressed support for the creation of a single government body which would be focused on water resource management and strength-

ening the implementation of water-related laws to improve coordination among regulatory bodies.

The creation of this agency is part of our government’s road map for water security in Metro Manila. Meanwhile, a Water Management Office under the DENR has been created as a bridge measure pending the passage of the said bill.

The Kaliwa Dam Project is also part of the government’s road map for water security. Its construction is now under way. Understandably, there have been some concerns about the project which delayed the construction/implementation for decades. However, a deep research on the matter will show that the latest design on the project has been done to provide the least amount of impact on the environment. Also, both the DENR and the NCIP have undergone through the appropriate process for years

before it was given the greenlight.

The need for the said project has never been an issue. In a recent forum, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) stressed that “Metro Manila and nearby areas will have a water crisis similar to the 2019 shortage if Kaliwa Dam does not come on stream after 2027”.

There has been no viable, realistic, and specific alternative solution given by any sector. Given the urgency of the problem, the project had been given the go signal to start. I do not envy the persons who made the call or decision given the opposition to the project. However, sometimes hard decisions must be made for the needs of the many. Perhaps, now is the time to focus on measures that would alleviate the effects which are the source of the concerns of some sectors.

bring a plantation to the stage where the annual crops will carry it on to full development. Let us illustrate with Christensen’s plantation. He has in round numbers 30,000 coconuts bearing, and 100 of these trees bring him P200 a year; or from the 30,000 he has an income of about P60,000 or $30,000 per year. A comfortable living is thus assured, as well as the further development of the place. “

The California native who arrived in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century as a school teacher and was employed as a policeman in Manila also recommended that “the plantation corporation, under conservative management, but points out that individuals working for such a company may gradually develop homesteads in the neighborhood of the plantation.”

Other than the measures already, there is still a need for additional measures to stem the effects of the looming water crisis.

Again, everyone must now step up to meet this crisis. Water conservation, efficient use of water in industrial and government set ups, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, desalination and other new technologies and techniques must be explored. Perhaps, the new water body, when created, can take the lead and initiative for these new solutions.

This is my oblique observation while being stuck in traffic on a hot day.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.

BPI recognized as Best Employer Brand in LinkedIn Talent Awards

Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) was recognized as the Best Employer Brand on LinkedIn for successfully engaging with its talents through meaningful and relevant content. This further cemented the bank’s position as an employer of choice, with the aim of contributing to a better Philippines.

BPI won the award for companies with over 10,000 employees who follow and engage in its LinkedIn account. The awardees were selected by LinkedIn Philippines based on data analysis that examined each company’s utilization and engagement data to determine their ability to leverage LinkedIn Talent Solutions and make a significant impact within the organization.

Maria Virginia Eala, BPI Chief Human Resources Officer, said the award is a testament of the Bank’s consistent efforts to create more relevant programs for the employees’ career growth and development.

“We really make sure that we take care of our employees and set them up for success because they are the heart of BPI. The 171-year history of the Bank would not have been possible if not for them. It is our mission to cultivate in them our core values of excellence, in-

tegrity, and customer obsession to develop happier, engaged, motivated and customer-focused professionals. We are grateful to LinkedIn Philippines for recognizing our efforts and inspiring us to do more,” Eala said.

The award was given by LinkedIn Philippines, the largest business and employment-focused social media platform, in the recently held LinkedIn Talent Awards at Shangri-La BGC in Taguig City. The program recognizes companies in the Philippines leading the future of work by demonstrating remarkable adaptability, innovation, and creativity.

“BPI believes in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where employees feel proud of being ambassadors of the brand. A happy employee delivers excellent service to customers,” Eala added.

Aside from the award, BPI was also selected as a finalist for the Diversity Champion Award for initiating and inspiring meaningful conversations around diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity.

BPI—the oldest bank in the country and Southeast Asia—was recognized in 2020 as the Best Bank in the Philippines by Euromoney, the prestigious global financial publica-

tion. From being the first bank in the country to offer access via Automated Teller Machines (ATM), BPI recently marked another first. In addition to

its more than 750 brick-and-mortar banks nationwide, BPI recently opened its first ever Flagship Store in e-commerce site Lazada in February.

The bank continues to reinvent itself and the Philippine banking experience through digitalization, customer service, and sustainability.

Fujifilm Philippines partners with Shinagawa to provide better healthcare to patients using modern tech

Fujifilm Philippines, a leading provider of digital imaging and healthcare solutions, will sign a memorandum of agreement today with Shinagawa Healthcare Solutions Corporation to bring advanced technology to patients.

Masahiro Uehara, Fujifilm Philippines President, said that through this partnership, the two companies aim to combine their strengths to deliver innovative and high-quality healthcare solutions to patients.

“We are thrilled to partner with Shinagawa Healthcare Solutions Corporation to provide better healthcare services to patients in the Philippines. Our advanced technology and expertise in the healthcare industry, combined with Shinagawa’s commitment to providing personalized care, will enable us to deliver innovative and high-quality healthcare solutions to patients in the Philippines,” he said.

Shinagawa Healthcare Solutions Corporation, a subsidiary of the country’s top Lasik provider, Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetics Center Corporation, is set to open a diagnostic and preventive care center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, next month. It will be the first Japanese standard health facility in the Philippines that focuses

on preventive care.

Through the collaboration, Uehara said Fujifilm will bring its innovative equipment to Shinagawa Diagnostic and Preventive Care Center to offer quick and comfortable procedures to patients.

These include the Eluxeo Lite 6000, an endoscopy machine that features Multi-Light Technology to deliver high-quality imaging and superior visibility for enhanced patient comfort through flexible scope options.

Another key instrument is the Supria 128 Slice CT Scan Machine, which offers painless and low-dose scanning capabilities. It also produces high-speed and top-notch quality images with lower power consumption.

The Amulet Innovality is a mammogram machine designed with ergonomic armrests to ensure patient comfort and secure positioning, producing quick image intervals of just 15 seconds.

Fujifilm’s FDR Smart X x-ray machine offers advanced functionality and compatibility with any X-ray system, delivering high image quality for precise and accurate results.

Meanwhile, the Arietta Series is

an ultrasound machine renowned for its broad diagnostic capabilities and top-notch imaging quality, producing reliable results that help with immediate critical surgical decisions.

“Fujifilm Philippines’ commitment to quality and innovation aligns with their vision to provide exceptional healthcare services. We are thrilled to partner with them to bring their state-of-the-art imaging technology to our patients in the Philippines. Together, we can make a significant impact on the healthcare industry, revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered and experienced,” he said.

Prevention is key Masako Uemori, Shinagawa President, said the partnership will enable them to provide patients with the best possible care.

“We believe that investing in preventive care is not only a wise decision but also a responsible one. By breaking the social stigma of reactive care and shifting our mindset towards proactive prevention, we can help Filipinos achieve better health outcomes and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives,” she said.

Aside from Japanese standard health checkups, Shinagawa Diagnos-

tic and Preventive Care Center will offer brain exams (MRI/MRA), full body exams (CT scan), digestive exams (ultrasound/endoscopy), health exams for women (mammography/ ultrasound), laboratory, and allergy tests.

Uemori said Shinagawa will partner with health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in the country to provide accessible, affordable, and comprehensive medical services to Filipinos.

She also said they plan to promote health and wellness through events and seminars to raise public awareness about their overall well-being.

“Our success in the field of eye care has enabled us to build a reputation as a leader in the industry. Our commitment to the latest technologies and Japanese standards for medical services has helped us to earn the trust of our patients, and we are proud to continue to deliver exceptional care that exceeds their expectations,” Uemori added.

The future of healthcare

Uemori said Shinagawa’s new Diagnostic & Preventive Care Center is committed to providing comprehensive and personalized healthcare

plans that contribute to the early detection and prevention of disease.

She said the company’s comprehensive medical examination process is designed to identify potential health issues before they become major problems, allowing for proactive intervention and treatment.

Combined with Fujifilm’s cutting-edge and high-performance machines, Shinagawa’s state-of-the-art facility will enable doctors and health professionals to perform procedures quickly, comfortably, and stress-free for patients. Diagnosis and analysis will also have double reading by their partner Japanese doctors who have extensive experience in the field of preventive care.

Shinagawa will also implement an efficient and streamlined operation using the Japanese Health Checkup Information System. With same-day results, patients can receive timely and accurate diagnoses and treatment plans without the added stress of waiting.

Innovative imaging technology

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. (now FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation) was established in 1934 to produce high-quality photographic films. Within the first decade of its establishment, the company expanded its production to include motion pictures and X-ray films, in addition to its original focus on photographic films.

In 2012, Fujifilm Philippines was founded as a sales subsidiary of Fujifilm’s regional headquarters in the Asia Pacific. The company primarily focuses on providing high-quality products and services to the Philippine market in areas such as electronics, photo imaging, industrial products, graphic design, and medical systems. To meet the increasing demand for its offerings and ensure consistent quality, the company opened its first branch in Cebu in 2019. This move also enabled Fujifilm Philippines to better serve customers in the Visayas and nearby Mindanao provinces by providing them with more localized support.

BPI was recognized as the Best Employer Brand on LinkedIn and as a Diversity Champion finalist at the LinkedIn Talent Awards.

Local decors and flavors at Aeon Towers’ Open House

Amidst the festive atmosphere of the 86th Araw ng Davao, Aeon Luxe Properties, Inc. (ALPI) made sure it goes with the celebration by decorating the Aeon Towers with proudly local-inspired decors.

The Araw ng Dabaw celebration returned with a big bang this

year after two years of virtual celebrations with the pandemic.

The city was simply buzzing with excitement. And who won’t be? It’s been a long time coming.

ALPI for one won’t be outdone.

The iconic Aeon Towers was festooned with Davao’s symbolic

fruits and flowers.

In line with the celebration, ALPI decked the Aeon Towers with proudly local-inspired decors highlighted with the centerpiece giant durian fruit sculpture

It also proudly displayed traditional woven fabrics, and ornaments made from native materials such as bamboo and rattan. The overall effect was stunning, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere for visitors and residents alike.

And what do you expect none the least but a barrage of photos and posts on social media.

ALPI also had an Open House event at Aeon Towers on March 17-18, 2023, attended by locals and tourists. The event was well-received by the guests, with many potential clients stopping by to enjoy the fun and tour the property.

ALPI’s involvement in the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations was a testament to their commitment to the community and appreciation of Davao’s rich cultural heritage.

The locally-inspired decorations and Open House event were a great way to showcase the city’s beauty and the company’s dedication to providing quality properties and services to its residents.

INCOME... FROM 2 DAVAO... FROM 3 MILF... FROM 2 BILL... FROM 4 CHEMICAL... FROM 4

the city treasurer to collect the following fees for the use of the meat-cutting equipment: bone saw stand type at P10 per kilo, meat grinder at P10 per kilo, meat slicer at P10 per kilo, meat bowl cutter at P10 per kilo, sausage filler at P10 per kilo, and meat mixer at P10 per kilo.

Dalodo said in an interview that the expected collection from the cold storage facility will reach up to P11.1 million a year while the amount that the city can collect from meat-cutting services will reach up to P12.7 million per year.

“Kailangan magkaroon tayo ng mga steps sa Davao City to increase our revenue nga para we will not just rely sa atoang national tax allotment,” she said.

The Malagos Double A abattoir (for hogs) with cold storage and meat cutting facilities and the Halal slaughterhouse is located at Purok 3A Barangay Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City.

The slaughterhouses were funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the National Livestock Program, DA 11 (BUB) Program, and the city government of Davao.

The P80 million budget for the completion of the non-halal abbatoir was sourced from the DA National Livestock Program, P5 million came from DA 11 Bottom-up-Budgeting (BuB), and P1 million from the city government of Davao for the halal abattoir.

PEZA... FROM 4

to March 2022, is an indication that we are on the right track in achieving our 10 percent target this year,” PEZA director general Tereso Panga said.

The PEZA said the newly approved projects would generate export revenues of USD616.59 million and direct employment of 5,236.

“We have achieved positive investments for this year’s first quarter and we can sustain this momentum in the coming months as we expect more inbound delegations of foreign investors. The best is yet to come as we further open up the economy and manage the external headwinds,” Panga said.

He said PEZA has investment leads in vaccines and life science, the new wave of electric vehicle battery technology, motorcycle manufacturing, integrated circuit packaging and testing services, regenerative agriculture, organic fertilizers and pesticides, health care, deep learning, financial technology and other frontier technologies, anaerobic wastewater treatment and liquefied natural gas facilities.

These investment prospects came from PEZA zone developers and several business delegations that the investment promotion agency received in the past months.

“As always, our strategy is to follow thru investment leads from PBBM’s (President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.) state and working visits to other countries to promote the Philippines as a smart destination in the region. Guided by DTI’s Science, Technology, and Innovation-driven industrialization strategy, we also aim to create more ecozones and smart townships in rural and new growth areas to accelerate countryside development,” the PEZA chief added. (PNA)

“The protagonists in this fighting are members of the MILF’s 118th and 105th base commands,” Tamayo said. “As I speak, they are still firing sporadically at each other although from a distance.”

As a result, about 100 families have fled to safer grounds and are temporarily housed at the municipal gymnasium. Tamayo said efforts by MILF officials are underway to prevent the escalation of hostilities among its members in the area. (PNA)

AT

LEAST... FROM 3

205 passengers and 35 crew members.

Zamboanga City District 1

Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso said in a phone interview that Aleson Shipping Lines management is “willing to shoulder expenses si entra na hospital y talla [de ila nombre] na passengers list, ayuda kanila el management (if they are hospitalized and [their names] are in the passengers’ list, management will help them).”

The boat crew’s families have nothing to worry about as well where assistance is concerned, Olaso added.

The lawmaker just arrived from Manila and is yet set to meet with the local district of the PCG.

With search and rescue operations still ongoing, the boat temporarily docked at Pilas Island, which is nearest to Hadji Muhtamad town.

Salliman said the provincial government provided assistance to the passengers who were rescued.

Fire Inspector Jason Ahijon of the Bureau of Fire Protection said they are yet to investigate the cause of the fire. (Frencie Carreon/MindaNews)

PH... FROM 4

of local currency depreciation against the US dollar, which amounted to P50.51 billion. Compared to the end of December 2022, the country’s external debt has increased by P100.12 billion or 2.4%,” it said.

Ricafort said that the faster growth in the economy, together with tax and other fiscal reform measures to help further increase structurally tax revenue and other revenue collections of the government, combined with more disciplined government spending, would help further reduce or improve the debt-to-GDP ratio to below the 60% international threshold to help sustain the country’s favorable credit ratings at 1-3 notches above the minimum investment grade.

As of end-2022, the debtto-GDP ratio, or the government’s debt stock relative to the size of the economy, eased to 60.9% from 63.7% as of the third quarter of 2022, which was the highest since 2005.

The government aims to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio to less than 60% by 2025 and further shrink it to 51.1% by 2028, as well as reduce the deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3% by 2028 and maintain infrastructure spending at 5% to 6% of GDP annually.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines’ debtto-GDP ratio reached a record low of 39.6% in 2019.

WESM and when prices are high versus our existing contract we buy from our existing contracts. Something to that effect on how we dispatch,” Velasco said.

DLPC started buying from WESM in January this year and Velasco said DLPC buys 30 percent from WESM.

Velasco said during dispatch time, DLPC buys at WESM at an average price of P6.50 per kilowatt hour versus some of its imported suppliers which is P7 to P7.50 per kilowatt hour.

“We buy every five minutes and we are buying 30 percent from WESM because of the price. It created a behavior na kung barato siya, mupalit. we have software that will help us whether to buy or not to buy. In terms of megawatts I would say as high as 100 MW, which is 1/4 of our demand or less than 20 percent of our demand,” Velasco said.

Velasco also said that Mindanao has an oversupply of 1,000 MW from the total power supply of 3,000 MW while the current demand in Mindanao is 2,000 MW.

“This also dictates the price of WESM. WESM prices are lower than some of our suppliers. So we optimize the dispatch of our supply contract plus using WESM as one of our sources. I think our mix now is about 30 percent WESM because of the lower prices of WESM,” he said.

Apart from buying from WESM, the reduction of rates was also due to the lowering of prices of coal and crude oil and the optimization of DLPC dispatch.

“Means this cause our dispatch, which is the outcome of our generation, the big chunk of our suppliers will contribute to the lowering of the rates. So, we optimize the dispatch of our supply contract plus using WESM as one of our sources. Hopefully, the supply of fuel will still be low maybe lower or flatten at least ma-maintain nato ni nga supply,” Velasco said.

GOVERNMENT... FROM

5

the SBP and other vital agencies, with the ultimate objective of creating an amazing basketball environment that unites people and encourages them to ‘Win for All’. Maraming salamat po. Laban Pilipinas, puso!” Bachmann said.

Meanwhile, SBP president Al Panlilio said they are “honored and humbled” by the creation of the IATF.

“We at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are honored and humbled by the support from His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with his creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force through Administrative Order No. 05. This will aid the SBP immensely in the homestretch of our preparations for hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023,” Panlilio said.

He also said the SBP is also delighted with Marcos’ call for help in the successful hosting of the FIBA WC.

“Likewise, the President’s encouragement of local government units, non-government organizations, and the private sector to lend their cooperation with the SBP will help ensure the successful hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for it to be a source of pride and joy for the Filipino people,” Panlilio said. (PNA)

registry of farmers and whose sole source of income is from cultivating land that they own or rent, or who actually engages in crop production, livestock farming, or poultry farming.

In a press statement, Duterte said youth who are exposed to today’s technologies are urged to consider agriculture as a viable career.

He also said by providing necessary educational support to the children of farmers, they are encouraged to pursue agriculture and other related courses.

He emphasized that agriculture courses do not just involve farming, but also cover degrees in agricultural and biosystems engineering, agribusiness management, agricultural biotechnology, agricultural economics, and fisheries technology, among other studies. By Maya M. Padillo

MARCOS... FROM 5

private sector, covering health facilities, port and airport development, and railways, among others. We expect the private sector partners to provide not just finance, but also technology and management expertise and system,” Pascual said.

He said enhancing the physical and digital infrastructure in the country would provide more opportunities for Filipinos by growing industries, increasing productivity, and attracting investments.

“As a united government, we will continue to work tirelessly toward promoting businesses and industries in line with our economic agenda. We pledge to enhance our infrastructure, reaching every town, city, province, and region, ensuring that no one is left behind,” he added. (PNA)

MORE... FROM 5

try, retail, manpower services, manufacturing, and business process outsourcing.

“This aims to sustain the continuous recovery efforts in the tourism sector, especially in light of the reopening of business establishments,” the BLE added.

The initial simultaneous tourism job fairs were held in Pasay City, Cebu City, and Davao City in September 2022.

A total of 407 applicants

HMSP growth in the last quarter of last year is a “welcome development” since its contribution in the first nine months of last year is only lower at around 50 percent compared to the 53 percent from October to December.

He attributed the higher sales of the commodity segment in most parts of last year to the shift to basic raw materials due to supply chain disruptions.

The company’s capital expenditures last year reached around PHP3.497 billion, up from PHP3.179 billion in 2021.

Lao expects spending to be lower this year as construction for the expansion of their manufacturing plant in Batangas is almost done. (PNA)

SSS-DAVAO... FROM 5

have statutory obligations to the SSS on behalf of their employees.

“If their payments are posted, their employees can avail of the benefits immediately,” Estoque said.

Alnora Presbitero, acting SSSDavao branch head, said the delinquent employers are urged to settle their legal obligation with the option to avail of the Contribution Penalty Condonation and Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program for business employers and regular installment program.

“We identified employers who failed to pay the monthly contribution past due. We get the top 20 among the list of delinquent employers, and we identified nine,” she said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Patricia Nazareno of SSS Mindanao South 1 legal department, said the violators will be charged with violation of the SSS law.

“Violation of the SSS law is a criminal offense. The penalty is six years and one day to 12 years imprisonment that is not subject to probation,” she said.

An employer deducting SSS payments from their employees without remitting them can be prosecuted for estafa, she added. (PNA)

were hired on the spot while a total of 8,310 jobs were offered during the “1st Trabaho Turismo Asenso Philippine Tourism Job Fairs.” (PNA)

PH athletes in SEA Games down to 840

The Philippine team to the Southeast Asian Games has been reduced in number in terms of the participating athletes.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed on Monday that the Filipino athletes going to Phnom Penh for the biennial meet are now down to 840.

“From the previously announced 905, it was reduced to 840,” Tolentino said right after

the SEA Games torch rally here, adding that this will be the final count.

He said various reasons behind the reduction of numbers like typographical errors, for example, dual entry and wrong entry.

Tolentino, however, said the

POC also had to let go of some reserve athletes and those who cannot make it to the Cambodian capital as their passports have already expired and their renewal process might not make it in time.

Having to let go of such athletes could possibly hamper the Philippine team’s bid to match or even go higher than its fourth-place finish in the overall standings during last year’s edition in Hanoi, the first time the SEA Games were held in an

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Why would coach Tim wish to meet Meralco in the Govs Cup finals instead of TNT?

Our well-loved Gins coach said so in an interview.

Well, if you are a well-informed PBA fanatic, you’ll surely say: “Takot si coach Tim kay Rondae Hollis Jefferson.”

The TNT import has become a much feared opponent in the current conference even if he somewhat failed fans’ expectations in Game 2 where Tropang Giga lost to Meralco.

But RHF bounced back in a much more impressive (and

herculean) manner by pouring in 40 points and securing 13 rebounds, resulting in a lopsided 99-80 Game 3 victory for TNT.

In so many words, the twotime Grand Slam winning mentor said battling Meralco would bring back cherished memories of their gutsy down-the-wire duels in the not-so-recent past. Just to be simply straight-forward, perhaps Cone does not relish losing (just in case) to TNT whose current coach (Jojo Latimosa) was a previous player and mere understudy at Alaska for many years.

even-numbered year due to a one-year postponement caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

“That’s the big challenge: how can we attain the fourth-place standing or better than that?” Tolentino said.

Despite losing some slots, it is still considered a blessing as the POC was initially targeting only around 600 athletes going to Phnom Penh.

“Medyo mahirap, but dahil

IS CONE SCARED OF RHJ?

Imagine, the winningest PBA mentor losing to a neophyte head coach? Ouch!

And this is very possible.

Imagine, if you have the most prolific import (and most probably be hailed as best import) in Jefferson, a hotshooting Fil-Am Mikey Williams who is deemed a second import the way he is playing, and a consistent sniper in RR Pogoy.

These is the most feared trio in the PBA today, if you ask me.

TNT has reliable veterans in Jayson Castro who, despite years and the injuries, has

not lost his touch; Poy Erram, Glenn Khobuntin, Justin Chua, Kit Montalbo, Ganuelas Rosser, Varilla and former NCAA MVP Calvin Oftana.

I think sports fans nationwide are expecting to be treated to a first class basketball match up if Brgy. Ginebra gets to face TNT in the best of seven title series.

Against the MVP franchise, Cone can bring out the best in his men whose triumphant comeback win against SMB was a testimony to the Gins’ neversay-die attitude.

sa fighting spirit ng atleta natin at saka nadagdagan (It’s somehow tough, but because of our athletes’ fighting spirit and the increase in number) from 600 to 800, we might [still finish in fourth],” Tolentino said.

The POC earlier said 257 sports officials and coaches would join the Philippine team.

The SEA Games will formally begin on May 5, but some events will start as early as April 29.

(PNA)

They were down by 18 but JB, Scottie Thompson,Jeremiah Gray and the omni-present C-Standhardinger kept pounding on.

With patient diligence, the Gins proved they were far superior and imposed their will 8785 to clinch a sweep ot its semifinal faceoff with the Beermen.

Maybe Cone is not scared but he recognizes that TNT is not a pushover.

Because RHJ is some guy not to be taken for granted. (Emailed feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

TORCH RELAY. Philippine Olympic Committee President Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (second from left) leads the Torch Relay in Tagaytay City on Monday (March 27, 2023). (L-R) Chef de

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

PSC lauds forming of FIBA WC IATF

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairperson Dickie Bachmann on Wednesday thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his call to form an inter-agency task force (IATF) that would oversee the country’s co-hosting of the FIBA World Cup this year.

“The Philippine Sports Commission welcomes Administrative Order No. 5 issued by Malacañang on Monday, March 27, constituting an Inter-Agency Task Force and directing all government agencies and instrumentalities to extend their support to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) in the hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup,” Bachmann said in a statement.

“I humbly express my gratitude to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and our leaders in the Senate and Congress for their support in ensuring that the Philippines delivers the best World Cup hosting in history,” he added.

Bachmann, being the PSC chief, will be the chair of the task force under the AO signed by the President on Monday. At the same time, the depart-

ments of foreign affairs, health, interior and local government, public works and highways, tourism, and transportation, the bureaus of customs and immigration, the Philippine National Police, and the Metro Manila Development Authority have been placed into the IATF as well.

Bachmann, a former Philippine Basketball Association player and team manager, said the PSC would continue to commit to the successful hosting of the FIBA WC from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, MOA Arena in Pasay City and Philippine Arena in Bocaue town, Bulacan province.

“The PSC continues to commit its support and cooperation for the successful hosting of the Games, and to work hand-in-hand with

Justin Brownlee in action for the Gilas Pilipinas squad.