BusinessWeek Mindanao (June 14-15, 2023)

P15.00 Volume XIV, No. 155 Wed-Thu | June 14-15, 2023 www.businessweekmindanao.com CREDIBLE RELIABLE IN-DEPTH MINDANAO BusinessWeek YOUR MINDANAO-WIDE BUSINESS PAPER

Market Indicators FOREX PHISIX AS OF 6:00 PM JUNE 13, 2023 (TUE) 6,507.15 32.21 points 0.06 cents X X

US$1

Smuggled cigars

ZAMBOANGA City – Authorities confiscated P2.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes during an operation in Zamboanga del Sur on Friday that also resulted in the arrest of four suspects.

Col. Diomarie Albarico, Zamboanga del Sur Police director, said on Saturday that suspects Ronilo Japon, 25; Ricky Baria, 40; Abdulhaver Kangan, 41; and Jallen Mabuting, 22, all residents of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, were arrested at 3:12 p.m. in Barangay Balimbingan, Labangan town.

They were in the middle of unloading boxes of cigarettes from two trucks when joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Labangan Municipal Police Station arrived and accosted them.

Masagan program

THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said four government agencies will work together to support farmers under the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

During the Laging Handa briefing Monday, NIA acting administrator Eduardo Guillen said the program is a convergence effort of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Guillen said the Masagana rice program targets to help Filipino farmers in climate change adaptation and make their farms more resilient to harsh weather conditions.

‘No plate, no travel’

BUTUAN City – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga) said 7,393 citation tickets have been issued to violators apprehended during the weeklong intensified drive on the “No Plate, No Travel” policy in the region.

Of the total number of citation tickets, 7,368 were issued to motorcycle drivers, and 25 to drivers of four-wheeled vehicles.

In a statement on Saturday, PRO-13 Director, Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II, said the intensified drive was conducted from May 31 to June 9 by their units and stations in the whole region.

HE country’s tuna players have called on the government to reinstate the policy requiring commercial vessels to install monitoring devices to avert a ban on Philippine tuna by the European Union (EU). of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation, Inc., said.

T

“Ours are the first ever fishery in the Philippines to be certified under the MSC standard, an achievement that is in line with President Marcos’ goal of bringing prosperity and self-sufficiency to our nation,” Atenogenes B. Reaso, chairman of the Gulf

“We are worried that the suspension of vessel monitoring measures to ensure transparency in fisheries will put our tuna exports at risk,” he added.The EU requires preferred trading partners to comply with a number of international treaties, including one restricting Illegal, Unreported, and Unrestricted Fishing.

The PTHP earned its first MSC certification in

FREEZE/PAGE 7

125th INDEPENDENCE DAY

Klarex calls for adherence to law and order, tax obligations

CAGAYAN de Oro City

Mayor Rolando Uy reminded residents here to follow rules and pay their taxes diligently, as it is among the "simple ways" to honor the nation's freedom. Uy and other Northern Mindanao leaders joined Monday the country’s celebration

of its 125th Independence Day. Following the Philippine independence and the birth of a nation from foreign colonizers, Uy said it has been part of Filipino society to maintain its state of democracy and freedom, which also entails

KLAREX/PAGE 7

BARMM guvs seek delay of barangay, SK polls

COTABATO City — Five of six governors of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Saturday reiterated their call for the postponement of the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the Bangsamoro region until

after the decommissioning of combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shall have been completed.

The call, reiterating their February 20, 2023 “urgent appeal” to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., was made during the Regional

Peace and Order (RPOC) meeting held in Maimbung, Sulu on Saturday .

In a press statement, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman said he filed a motion during the meeting seeking the creation of a

Single-use plastics banned in week-long Naliyagan Festival

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN MindaNews

NATION-BUILDING. A giant Philippine flag is carried by sector representatives in Cagayan de Oro City on Monday (June 12, 2023) during the observation of the 125th Independence Day. Local chief executives in Northern Mindanao lead their respective Independence Day celebrations, highlighting the importance of freedom and democracy in their speeches. (Photo courtesy of Cagayan de Oro CIO)

DAVAO City — Former Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Alcantara Dominguez has joined the 60-year-old Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) as its new director who will oversee the business strategy and operations of the premier property developer and real estate pioneer in Davao City. Alsons Dev is the real estate

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan

del Sur – Agusan del Sur

Governor Santiago Cane Jr. has reminded provincial government employees that single-use plastics will not be allowed during the Naliyagan Festival celebration from

June 12 to 17.

He also posted the reminder on his Facebook page that bringing singleuse plastic at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Cultural Center during the Naliyagan Festival is strictly prohibited.

The cultural center is located in Patin-ay,

Prosperidad town. He aired the same reminder in his speech during the opening ceremonies of Magdiwata Festival on June 1 at the San Francisco Municipal Hall grounds. The governor was elated to learn the local government

In a statement, the Philippines Tuna Handline Partnership (PTHP) said that the suspension order may affect the status of Philippine tuna, after the industry was recently awarded the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.

Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC) newly-positioned President Joseph Mahusay expressed his opposition to the move to replace the current members of its Australian partner Ten Sixty Four Limited (X64), a second attempt to reorganize the board by its ousted Managing Director Paul Ryan Welker.

Mahusay emphasized that their local company will not work with “unqualified people” and vowed to continue working with the X64 under Jeffery McGlinn, the current Managing Director.

According to an advisory document from X64 last

year, Welker’s contract was immediately terminated on July 5, 2022 due to a direct financial interest in another company.

The X64 board found out about a 2022 drilling contract, entering X64 into a service agreement with Ranger Equipment and Vulcan Mine Management, with which Welker is one of the directors.

The board emphasized that Welker breached his obligations as a shareholder by failing to delineate the line between personal and company interests.

Mahusay also said that Welker attempted to control

the X64 board in October 2022 but failed to do so because he failed to secure the majority of shareholders.

“The new board of PMC, and I, refuse to work with Mr. Welker and the unqualified people he is attempting to insert as board members to take over the board of X64, being Debra Bakker, Robert Milbourne, Jonathan Shellabear, Andrew Brown, and John DeCooman (Proposed New Board),” Mahusay said.

Given the conflict of interest in Welker’s move, Mahusay underscored that the new board of PMC, including him as a president,

will only work with the existing board of X64. The X64 provides exploration and mining services worldwide,

developing gold projects in the Asia Pacific Region. Their current board comprises Jeffery McGlinn, Dr. Kate

Bomb try to topple NGCP tower in North Cotabato foiled

PIKIT, North Cotabato – Army and police bomb experts foiled an attempt by lawless elements to topple a transmission tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in this town, military and police officials said Tuesday. Lt. Col. Rowel Gavilanes, Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion commander, said the Army and police bomb disposal team safely disarmed at 10:30 a.m. Monday three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) attached to NGCP Tower 39 in Sitio Punol, Barangay Batulawan, Pikit. Gavilanes

said at about 8:30 a.m. a mild explosion had occurred in Sitio Punol. Civilians who heard the blast alerted authorities about it. “We sent troops to check on the blast and they found three more bombs attached to the NGCP steel tower,” Gavilanes said. The bombs were rigged from two mortar explosives and a rocketpropelled grenade head duct-taped together to a mobile phone as a trigger mechanism. Security in the locality has been raised following the bombing attempt. Lt. Col. John Miridel Calinga, municipal police station chief, the

EIDs bore the signature style of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters operating in the area. “It was not meant to harm civilians but only the NGCP tower,” Calinga said, adding that the site is far from residential areas. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, has placed all Army units in Central Mindanao on alert to ensure the safety of communities. Rillera, also the commander of Joint Task Force Central, said the plot could have caused massive power service interruption had it not been averted in parts of North Cotabato, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte provinces. The discovery of IEDs here came a day after residents of Barangay Kadigasan, Midsayap town, North Cotabato, also found a homemade bomb fashioned from an 81-mm mortar explosive. Bomb experts safely deactivated the ordnance. (PNA)

PACUT BONGGOT

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than June 1, 2023.

being N. 19-22 W., 907.33 m. from BLLM No. 153. Containing an area of THIRTY NINE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE (39,675) SQUARE METERS and covered by OCT No. P-7170 is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE JUAN CAPULE. THAT WE, EPIFANIO SR. D. CAPULE (deceased) represented by: ELLEN C CORPUZ, of legal age, Filipino, married; EDMUND E. CAPULE, of legal age, Filipino, married; ERIC JESS E. CAPULE, of legal age, Filipino, married; ELEONIDO E. CAPULE, of legal age, Filipino, married; CIARA LEY L. CAPULE, of legal age, Filipino, single; FE EMELDA C. ACADEMIA, of legal age, Filipino, married; ELVIRA C. LADJAMALIK, of legal age, Filipino, married; ELEANOR C. TOGONON, of legal age, Filipino, married and EPIFANIO E. CAPULE Jr., of legal age, Filipino, married and all residents of Pinpin, Tubod, Lanao del Norte and PRIMO CAPULE, of legal age, Filipino, married and a resident of Pinpin, Tubod, Lanao del Norte hereinafter referred to as the HEIRS. That it is best of their knowledge and understanding they hereby divide and partition the above described property extrajudicially is a manner set forth. Under the Notary Public of ATTY. OSOP

George, Simon Mottram, Andrew Hunt, Patrick Warr, James Llorca, and Deborrah Ho.

Over 10% bank lending growth seen after RRR cut

THE reduction in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by as much as 2.5 percentage points is expected to boost growth in bank lending to above 10 percent in the near term, an economist said.

In a reply to emailed questions from the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the cut in RRR can infuse at least P350 billion in the economy, which can be used for additional borrowings both for businesses and households as well as investments in various assets, such as equities and bonds.

“Thus, banks' loan growth could again accelerate to above 10 percent year-on-year for the coming months (from +9.7 percent as of April 2023) and could happen soon since the latest cut on banks' RRR shall take effect on June 30, 2023,” he said.

The RRR cut was announced by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

on June 8, with the date of its effectivity set on the same day as the expiration date of the alternative RRR compliance measures put in place during the pandemic.

Specifically, the reduction in universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) and nonbank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions (NBQBs) RRR is 250 basis points (bps) to 9.5 percent; digital banks, 200 bps to 6 percent; thrift banks, 100 bps to 2 percent; and rural banks and cooperative banks, 100 bps to 1 percent.

The BSP said the RRR cut is aimed at ensuring “stable domestic liquidity and credit conditions” once the RRRrelated measures expire.

“This operational adjustment is in line with the BSP’s ongoing efforts towards a more active and flexible approach to liquidity management through marketbased monetary operations. This includes the inaugural offering on 30 June 2023 of the 56-day BSP Bill, which serves as an additional

instrument for absorbing system liquidity,” it said.

The BSP clarified that the slash in the RRR “do(es) not constitute any shift in the BSP’s monetary policy settings.”

“The BSP continues to prioritize bringing inflation back towards a target-consistent path over the medium term and will continue to signal its monetary policy stance through the key policy interest rate, or the rate on the overnight reverse repurchase facility,” it added.

Ricafort said this latest development is expected to boost “growth in loans and other economic/business activities.”

“The RRR cuts are meant to neutralize also the defacto tightening with the expiration, also by end-June 2023, of some regulatory relief measures, particularly those that allowed some loans, especially MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) loans and

DBP opens loan window to expand water sources amid El Niño

THE state-owned Development of the Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has offered to provide credit assistance to water districts, local government units, and water utility firms to expand production capacity and explore additional water sources amid the looming onset of the El Niño phenomenon.

The DBP funding assistance would be channeled under its

pioneering Water for Every Resident (WATER) program, which was designed specifically to support projects that would provide affordable water supply at the community level, DBP president and chief executive officer Michael O. de Jesus said in a news release Saturday.

“DBP’s broad experience in bankrolling water supply projects would be a boon

to our collective efforts to find suitable and sustainable solutions to address the rising demand for an important natural resource, such as water,” de Jesus said.

The DBP is the eighth largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy –

LANDBANK welcomes Fitch outlook upgrade

FITCH Rating Inc.'s improved outlook on Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is a vote of confidence for the bank's robust financial stability and resilience to withstand external and domestic economic headwinds, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette Ortiz said.

Credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings, Inc., in a report released on May 30, upgraded LANDBANK's outlook to

“stable,” alongside improved confidence in the country’s return to strong medium- term growth following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report which also affirmed the bank’s Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB' and Government Support Rating (GSR) at 'bbb', considered LANDBANK’s “strategic and growing policy roles, 100 percent state ownership as

well as its systemic importance as the largest state-owned bank in the country, with market share of about 14 percent of system assets.”

The ratings agency likewise gave consideration to the “state’s improving ability to support the bank, in times of need, as reflected in the revision of the sovereign rating Outlook to stable."

"With solid state backing,

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Mindanao, Land of the Brave & the Free

Known Also as the Land of Contradictions

Social justice, equity and pro-people development. These are the reasons for being of cooperatives, by nature, nurture or by law as embodied in the Constitution. Gauging by these noble aims, cooperatives are yet to go a long way in a country whose resources are in the hands of a few elite while many wallow in poverty.

What then is the relevance of cooperatives especially in resource-rich Mindanao?

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Make a Stand

Think a minute . . . Former American President, Harry Truman, said that every president has been attacked by the news media and press. President Truman further concluded that a U.S. president who had never fought with Congress or the Supreme Court had not really done his job.

This principle is also true for you and me. No matter what our job is, there will be people who oppose and criticize us. Sooner or later you will stand for something that others will not like. Never forget, “You can’t please all the people all the time.”

That is why always trying to be popular is a losing battle, wasting both our time and effort. We need to choose the right battles for the right reasons and realize that success is having a good character and clear conscience—even if sometimes it makes us unpopular with certain people. But many of those people who will not like you for your moral stand will still respect you for your character and courage. Remember, “If you know better, then you must make a stand to live better, which can inspire others to live better.”

The sad fact is that when

That Mindanao oozes with rich natural resources, very rich in mineral deposits with lands suitable for agriculture is beyond question. Indeed, it is where you find thousands of hectares of pine-apple, banana, palm oil, rubble and industrial trees. But these resources are for exports to serve the consumerist lifestyle of the people in the North. Such is a great paradox in a country whichi is the biggest rice importer in the world. While China with a population of some 1.5 billion people is just importing 2 million rice annually, our country is importing 2.5 million metric tons with a population of some 110 million Filipinos. Our country is also importing

about 95 percent of our milk needs, the reason why 85 percent of the Filipino children are malnourished, based on the report of the Food Nutrition Institute. In Mindanao alone, we have some 200,000 hectares of massive plantations to feed the consumerist lifestyle of the people in advanced countries. Whatever precious dollars the country earns are readily returned in payment of our burgeoning neverending foreign debt.

Because of this, you instead witness a different scenario. It is in Mindanao where 14 of the 25 poorest provinces in the country are found. Based on studies, the poor in Mindanao are the poorest throughout the Philippines. It is where you see poor farmers tilling marginalized lands because the choicest ones are planted with high value crops for exports.

It is where you see thousands of fisherfolk coming back from the shore with empty nets because of degraded coastal ecosystems due to industrial pollution, heavy siltation and massive intrusion of commercial fishing boasts raking fish in the municipal waters.

Yes, it is in Mindanao where you see big-time loggers and miners uprooting trees, resulting to the massive destruction of the ecosystems to the detriment of the ecological people. including the “lumads” who have sustainably dwell in the forest for hundreds of years as logging companies have denuded the 17 million hectares of our dipterocarp forests, in mockery of existing forestry laws.

Where in the world can you find farmers who till the land not their own and using seeds beyond their capacity to sustain? Because of this, everyone is profiting from farming especially the seed growers, chemical companies, landlords, compradors, but never those who do the backbreaking job of land-tilling – the poor farmers! So rich, yet so poor, Such is the paradox that is Mindanao where bounty and poverty meet, where hope and despair loom and where light and darkness fight.

How can these contradictions be resolved?

History tells us that wrongs and social injustices can only be rectified by the people themselves, that is, when they take

responsibilities for their communities and take the future into their own hands. Only the people themselves can resolve these, but first, they should be empowered.

No less than the World Bank came up with analysis recently disclosing that poverty is rooted in the powerlessness of the people. That to combat poverty, measures must be taken to empower them. The poor must build their own coalition, collectively mobilize their own energies and to have access and control over resources which are fast slipping through their fingers.

It is in this light that indeed cooperativism has come of age in Mindanao, aptly described as the land of the brave and the free!

PHA sets conference on Filipino people's struggles for nationhood

THINK A MINUTE

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

no one makes a stand for the right, everyone suffers. “All it takes for evil to win is for good men to do nothing.” The famous Watergate scandal in America was an example of this. The men who worked closely with President Nixon knew that morally wrong and illegal things were being done, but they did not do anything to stop it. In fact, during the trial when the prosecutor asked one of Nixon’s men named Porter why he did not even try to stop it, Porter answered: “I was afraid of the group pressure from the other men and that I would not be seen as a team player.” Porter did not understand that “Sometimes silence is golden, but other times it’s just plain yellow [and cowardly].”

When the Philippine Historical Association (PHA) conducted its 2023 Annual Conference at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila on Aug. 31-Sept. 2, I have an ardent wish that the delegates will exert their best efforts to settle and put to rest the decades-old debates over certain aspects of the Filipinos' campaign for independence from Spanish occupation in the 1890s.

This early, I am certain that numerous books would be written later about the various topics and subjects that would be discussed thoroughly during the three-day conference. And hopefully, such books would put an end to the controversies over the 1896-1898 Revolution that "need to be restudied, to be reinterpreted, or even resolved."

According to its website, the PHA was founded on Sept. 18, 1955 by a group of prominent historians, among them, Teodoro Agoncillo, Encarnacion Alzona, Celedonio Ancheta, Gabriel Fabella, Esteban de Ocampo, Nicolas Zafra, and Gregorio Zaide. Their aim was to establish a scholarly association of historians devoted to the propagation of historical knowledge and studies, principally pertaining to the Philippines.

Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Camagay, present PHA president, said the theme of the forthcoming conference is "SANGKAPILIPINUHAN: Retrospections on Independence and Nationhood." She added that

this year's theme is in solidarity with the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood on June 12.

"As the country commemorates its 125th anniversary of independence and nationhood, it is important to reflect on the historical and continuing struggles that have defined its journey towards self-determination and progress. This event also provides an opportunity for reflection on the country's past and present conditions," Camagay said.

The PHA itself, in its call for submission of discussion papers for the conference, said: "The Philippines, moving forward into the 21st century, continues to be plagued by unresolved controversies, contradictory directions, and contentious perspectives on Philippine nationhood."

There are indeed a number of controversial aspects in the Philippine history that need to be corrected or rectified. These include where and when the outbreak of the 1896 Revolution against Spain actually happened.

In the book "The Cry of Balintawak: A Contrived Controversy" written by Dr. Soledad Borromeo-Buehler and published by the Ateneo De Manila University Press in 1998, there were several places listed as the sites of Katipunnan meetings and armed engagements from Aug. 21-27, 1896. Among these places were Kangkong, Pasong Tamo, Pugad Lawin, Balara, Balintawak, Banlat, Bahay

Toro and Caloocan.

The book author, Buehler, is a professional historian and granddaughter of Gen. Guillermo Masangkay, one of the closest comrades of Gat Andres Bonifacio in the Kataastaasang, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK). She had studied the so-called Masangkay papers thoroughly and became the basis of her book.

Incidentally, almost all of the places mentioned in her book as sites of the important meetings or early armed engagements of the Katipuneros were part of the former town of Novaliches. It must be pointed out that Quezon City was not yet in existence at that time, being founded only in October 1939 by then Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon.

In his book titled "Bones of Contention" published in 2014 by Anvil Publishing Inc,, noted historian-professor and former National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Ambeth R. Ocampo also cited some controversial episodes of the 1896 Revolution involving Balintawak and Pugad Lawin, among several other places.

For one thing, Ocampo noted the conflicting dates and places where Bonifacio and the other Katipuneros tore their "cedula" or residence certificate.

"Officially, and since 1962, it has been celebrated on August 23, 1896 in Pugad Lawin. Traditionally, before

1962, it was commemorated on August 26, 1896 in Balintawak. On this matter, tradition dies hard," he said.

Meanwhile, as I was writing the concluding paragraphs of this column, I came across the latest column of veteran journalist Yen Makabenta under the title "Observer" and subtitled "It makes sense to revert the republic's name to Filipinas" (from the present Philippines) in the June 8, 2023 issue of the Manila Times.

Here's the first paragraph of Makabenta's column:

"Nobody screamed 'historical revisionism' back in the 1960s when President Diosdado Macapagal by proclamation on May 12, 1962, and the Congress by legislation on August 4, 1964, made the bold decision to move the annual commemoration of Philippine Independence Day from July 4 to June 12 in recognition of the transcendental importance of the establishment of the Philippine Republic by the revolutionary government under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898."

ORLAN R. RAVANERA

KIM’S DREAM

Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776

WED-THU | JUNE 14-15, 2023

Unemployment rate went down in April

THE country's unemployment rate dropped to 4.5 percent in April this year from 5.7 percent in the same month last year due to the further reopening of the economy, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Friday.

In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said preliminary results of the April 2023 Labor Force Survey (LFS) showed the number of unemployed persons during the month was estimated at 2.26 million, down from the 2.76 million in April last year.

Labor force participation rate (LFPR), meanwhile was at 65.1 percent or about 50.31 million Filipinos aged 15 years and over

who were either employed or unemployed.

This was higher than the 63.4 percent LFPR in April last year. Employment rate in April also went up to 95.5 percent from 94.3 percent in 2022.

Mapa said industries with the largest increase in employment were wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food service activities, transportation and storage, and other service activities.

"Basically this is because we see the reopening of the economy, there are more tourists, more people are going out that's why the largest source of employment are the accommodation and

food service activities plus transportation. Those are the areas the we have an increase in the number of employed persons," Mapa said.

The number of underemployed or those who expressed the desire to have an additional hour of work in their present job or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work was at 6.20 million, translating to an underemployment rate of 12.9 percent.

This was lower than the reported 14.0 percent in April last year.

In a statement, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the

government would continue to sustain the recent improvements in the country's labor market conditions by implementing crucial economic reforms and leveraging digital technology to enhance workers' employability.

"To ensure the continuation of this trend, the government affirms its commitment to the unimpeded implementation of economic liberalization reforms and other essential legislation. These efforts will be complemented by comprehensive collaborations among government entities and society as a whole to enhance the employability and productivity of our workforce," NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan

May auto sales jump 44.8%

THE Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported on Tuesday that year-on-year automotive vehicle sales for May grew by 44.8 percent.

The joint report of CAMPI and TMA shows that vehicle sales in May 2023 increased to 38,177 units from 26,370 units a year ago.

“The growth of new motor vehicle sales in May with nearly 45 percent increase is definitively driven by the high market demand, recording

double-digit growths across all segments from the figures last year,” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said.

Both passenger car and commercial vehicle segments posted a growth of 40.6 percent and 46.3 percent, with sales of 9,792 and 28,385 units, respectively.

Compared with the previous month, auto sales also improved by 24.6 percent from 30,643 units in April this year.

Meanwhile, local vehicle assemblers’ sales from January to May this year

rose 31.5 percent to 166,104 units from 126,273 units in the same period in 2022.

Passenger car sales increased to 41,862 units in the first five months of the year, 32.7 percent higher than the 31,546 unit sales a year ago.

Commercial vehicle sales, which account for 75 percent of the industry’s sales, grew by 31.2 percent to 124,242 units in January to May this year from 94,727 units in the same period in 2022.

“The steady year-on-year growth recorded in the first

five months gives the industry a reason to be even more optimistic and grateful at the same time as attaining its growth forecast this year felt even closer to reality and proves rather possible,” Gutierrez said.

He said the industry welcomes the country’s sustained economic improvement that would boost consumer confidence and market conditions.

The top industry players from January to May are Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan, and Honda. (PNA)

said.

The government will also capitalize on digital technologies to foster innovation, upgrade services, and respond to the needs of the workforce, he added.

"Hence, the complete execution of the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act is also vital for equipping the workforce with digital technology skills and fostering innovation," Balisacan said.

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF HOUSE AND LOT

Notice is hereby given that the late Felicisima Ramos Tongco died on testate on December 13, 1988 at Cagayan de Oro City, without any debt, leaving the foregoing property situated at Block 26 Lot 7, Piaping Puti, Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City, of which property is subject of this Extra Judicial settlement. That this Extra-Judicial Settlement of a House and Lot located at Block 26 Lot 7 with a land are of One Hundred Fifteen Square Meters (115 Sq. Mtrs.) is entered and executed into by and between the heirs of the late FELICISIMA RAMOS TONGCO namely: Alfredo R. Tongco (Deceased) represented by Celerina C. Tongco, Elpedio R. Tongco (Deceased) represented by Jenalyn T. Grado, Jesusita T. Acedo (Deceased) represented by Agustin T. Acedo, Elino R. Tongco (Deceased) represented by Irish Tongco, Erlindo R. Tongco, Romeo R. Tongco and Merilyn T. Jore all of legal ages, Flipino citizens, residents of Piaping Puti, Macabalan this City. That the above-named heirs are the legitimate heirs of said deceased and they agree to sale the property and proceed will be divided equally among the heirs. Under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. JONAH O. MABELIN-NORTIZA. As per Doc No. 264; Page No. 54; Book No. 2; Series of 2023.

BWM May 31, Jun 7 & 14, 2023

Balisacan added that there was a need for collaboration among government agencies, training institutions, technology providers, and other stakeholders to address skills mismatches, provide guidance on in-demand skills, and empower Filipinos through the utilization of technologies such as artificial intelligence and extended reality. (PNA)

AFFIDAVIT OF SOLE ADJUDICATION

I, MARY JOY DECIERTO RICO, of legal age, single and residing at Zone 3, crossing Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City, after being sworn in accordance with the law depose and say: That I am the only surviving daughter of one, named Solomon P. Rico who died intestate in Cagayan de Oro City on September 21, 2022 as evidenced by Death Certificate issued by the Civil Registrar of Cagayan de Oro City hereto attached as Annex “A” and made integral part of this affidavit; That said deceased left and estate consisting of a parcel of land situated at Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City measuring 2,990 square meters, and evidenced by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-166005 issued by the Register of Deeds of Cagayan de Oro City; That the said parcel of land is more particularly described as follows, to wit, Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-166005 Lot: 22092-B, Psd-10048364; Portion of Lot: 22092, Cad369-D, Cagayan Cadastre Extension; As Surveyed for: Solomon Rico; Land use: (Orchard); Location: Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao. Area: TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED NINETY (2,990) square meters more or less is the subject of AFFIDAVIT OF SOLE ADJUDICATION. The said deceased left no debts. Under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. QUINTILIANITO S. BABARIN, JR. As per Doc. no. 306; Page no. 61; Book no. 93; Series of 2023.

BWM May 31, Jun 7 & 14, 2023

BusinessWeek MINDANAO FEATURE

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Editor: GILBERT Y. CHAO

Wed-Thu | June 14-15, 2023

Globe earns recognition as Climate Leader in Asia-Pacific for second year in a row

For two consecutive years, leading digital solutions platform Globe has been recognized as one of Asia Pacific’s Climate Leaders. The list developed by the Financial Times and Global Market Research Firm, Statista honors companies that are making significant strides in reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Globe is the only Philippine telco company included in this year’s line up. The company sees this recognition as a testament to its commitment to climate action, backed by its energy-efficient technologies and sustainable network operations.

“Being recognized by the Financial Times as a Climate Leader for the second time reaffirms our commitment to make a positive impact to the environment. This

inspires us to continue on our path to net zero. We believe that collaboration between us and our stakeholders is key in our roadmap towards a more sustainable, lowcarbon future,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

Globe’s inclusion in the list was a result of the rigorous process conducted by the Financial Times and Statista, where they examined the carbon footprint of thousands of companies in the region.

The assessment considered factors such as revenues, independent emissions data reporting, adherence to Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reporting, and CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) ratings among others. Globe stood out for its substantial reductions in its core emissions intensity between 2016 and 2021, demonstrating

Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES 10th Judicial Region Office of the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Sheriff Cagayan de Oro City

not only its financial growth but its dedication to climate action.

A core part of Globe's success comes from the implementation of numerous climate action initiatives over the years, from deploying green network solutions, piloting off-grid network technologies in remote and disaster-prone areas, adopting eco-friendly batteries, adopting green, low-carbon optical networks technologies, and shifting to renewable energy consumption in its key sites.

In line with these, Globe has also ventured into engaging its supply chain, establishing sustainability criteria in its procurement and vendor assessment processes, and rallying business partners to support and follow sustainable practices. The move propelled a collective,

GLOBE/PAGE 7

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES

CRIMINAL CASE NO. M10-02-227 Plaintiff - versus -

For :

SATURN B. HORTELANO, VIOLATION OF B.P.22 Accused, X

NOTICE OF SALE ON EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY

WHEREAS, by virtue of the writ of execution, issued in the above-entitled case by the Hon. Eleuteria Badoles-Algodon, MTCC Judge, thru Laarne D. Badoles-Jumuad, Clerk of Court of the MTCC Branch 2. Cagayan de Oro City, in favour of the plaintiff and against the accused for the recovery of the sum of Four Hundred Fifty Four Thousand, Four Hundred Thirty Three pesos and Forty Seven centavos.(454,433.47), plus the sheriff's expenses in the enforcement of the herein writ, of execution, all in Philippine currency, levy was made by the undersigned sheriff on March 13, 2017 thru the register of deeds of Pagadian City, on all the rights and participation which the accused Saturn B. Hortelano may have in the realty, more particularly described, to wit;

TAX DECLARATION NO. 2K9-001171

THE UNDIVIDED HERlDITARY SHARE of herein accused SATURN B. HORTELANO of a parcel of land. Cadastral lot no. 8804-A together with all the improvements erected thereon, situated at Datoc street, Gatas Distric, Pagadian City, bounded on the North by Lot no. 2225, 8804-A; on the South by lot no. 8803; on the East by, an alley and on the west by Lot no. 8804-A; Owned and registered under the name of SATURNINO HORTELANO (Deceased), containing an area of 357 square meters more or less (Please be noted that SATURN B. HORTELANO is one of the heirs and son of the lot owner SATURNINO HORTELANO.

TAX DECLARATION NO. 2K9-001172

THE UNDIVIDED HERlDITARY SHARE of the herein accused Saturn B. Hortelano of a parcel of land, cadastral Lot no. 8804-B together with all the improvements erected thereon: situated at Datoc street, Gatas District, Pagadian City. Bounded on the North by Lot no. 2225 8804-A: on the South by Lot no. 8803; on the East by an alley and on the West by Lot no. 8804-A; owned and registered under the name of SATURNINO HORTELANO (Deceased), containing an area of 357 square meters more or less (Please be noted that SATURN B. HORTELANO is one of the heirs and son of the lot owner SATURNINO HORTELANO.

NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the writ of execution and in accordance with Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, the undersigned sheriff will sell at public auction to the highest bidder for CASH and in Philippine Currency, on July 6, 2023 at 10:00 O’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the entrance of the Office of the Clerk Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Hall of Justice Building, near SM Uptown, Cagayan de Oro City, the rights, interest and participation of the accused Saturn B. Hortelano in the above-described property, together with all the improvements in order to satisfy said writ of execution, together with the sheriff’s legal fees and expenses in the enforcement and sale.

Prospective buyers/bidders are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the condition and/or encumbrances of the above-described property if any there be.

Let this notice of auction sale be published in the newspaper and posted in conspicuous places in the City of Cagayan de Oro and in the place where the property is located.

Cagayan de Oro City, May 29, 2023.

Republic of the Philippines

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10th Judicial Region Branch 18 Cagayan de Oro City

BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

EJF FILE NO. 2023-1333 (Successor-in-Interest of BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc.), Mortgagee,

FOR: EXTRA-JUDICIAL -versus - FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SPS. MIGUELITO AQUINO BELTRAN UNDER ACT NO. 3135, AND ROHAIMA TANOG POLAYAGAN, AS AMENDED BY ACT Mortgagors, NO. 4118 x-

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended, filed by BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (Successor-in-Interest of BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc.), Mortgagee, with address at BPI Building, CM Recto Ave., Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City against SPS. MIGUELITO AQUINO BELTRAN AND ROHAIMA TANOG POLAYAGAN, Mortgagors, with residence and postal address at Lot 11 Block 19, Anislag St., Forest View Homes Subd., Phase 3, Pueblo de Oro, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of April 25, 2023, amounted to NINE HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN PESOS and 68/100 (Php928,657.68) Philippine Currency, exclusive of interest, penalties and other charges, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction on June 23, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 18, Hall of Justice, Goldridge Bldg., Masterson Ave., cor,. P.N. Roa Sr., Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for CASH and in Philippine Currency, the following property described below including all existing improvements found thereon, to wit:

Transfer Certificate of Title No. 137-2012008357

A certain land situated in Canito-an, Cagayan de Oro, Island of Mindanao, more particularly bounded and described as follows:

Lot: 11, Block: 19, PSD-10-062039; Portion of 7-A, PSD-10-058649; As surveyed for: Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation; Land Use: Residential; Location: Canito-an, Cagayan de Oro City, Island of Mindanao; Boundaries: West 1-2 by Lot 9, Block 19, PSD-10-062039; North 2-3 by Road N16, PSD-10-062039; East 3-4 by Lot 13, Block 19, PSD-10-062039; South 4-1 by Lot 12, Block 19, PSD-10-062039. Beginning at a point marked "1" on the Plan, being S. 09 deg 26'E., 1694.26 M. from BBM No. 18, CAD. 237, Cagayan Cadastre, x x x x x x x containing an area of EIGHTY (80) square meters, more or less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the title herein above described and encumbrance thereon, if any there be.

Cagayan de Oro City, May 19, 2023.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO

Freeze...

October 2021 after a decade of compliance with international best practices.

In March, the Palace suspended the Vessel Monitoring Measures (VVM) for commercial fishing vessels under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 in a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

The memo directed the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) “to hold in abeyance the implementation of FAO No. 266 nationwide, pending the final resolution over its constitutionality by the Supreme Court.”

FAO No. 266 requires that no fishing activity take place without complying with the vessel monitoring measures set by BFAR and local government units.

“This issue is very concerning. Our exports and those of other fish processors will be affected should the Philippines be red or yellow carded once again,”according to Jinky Rabano of the Philippine Association of Tuna Processors, Inc.

Environmental group Oceana reiterated its concern that the Philippines may face another yellow card warning from the EU, the country’s biggest market for fish and seafood products.

“VMM is also a tool specifically required to be established in our country to ensure the sustainable use of our marine resources,” Oceana Acting Vice-President Rose Liza Osorio said.

“This recent move by the government suspending the vessel monitoring rules contravenes not just our own law but even our commitments under various international agreements to ensure transparency and traceability,” she added.

The Philippines was issued a yellow card by the EU in 2014, which was lifted after the passage of Republic Act No. 10654 or the Amended Fisheries Code.

from page 1 Klarex...

from page 1

"responsibilities." "Following simple rules, such as obeying traffic rules. If you're a commuter, you cross in the pedestrian lanes and alight in designated stops; if you're the driver, follow traffic signs, and don't add burden to the traffic," he said in speech. Uy also told consumers to ask for receipts and make sure commercial establishments pay the right amount of taxes, as this will be used by the government to provide services back to the public. "I also urged everyone to buy local products

if possible as this will help the local producers and their families," he said. In Misamis Oriental, Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa said the efforts and sacrifices of the Filipino heroes have served as guides in public service. "Through the help of God, the power of our unity and love of country, to others and ourselves, we can overcome any challenges," he said. Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, for his part, said by protecting the Philippines' sovereignty and performing civic duties is one way to honor the heroism of those who fought for the nation's freedom. "It is our inherent duty as citizens to ensure that the Philippines fulfills its destiny as a great and prosperous nation," he said. Meanwhile, Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao said the Philippine independence provided every citizen its vested rights and freedoms, among them is the freedom of speech. "We have so many freedoms, but sometimes we have taken this for granted," he said. Siao said while we exercise freedom of speech and expression, this is, however, not absolute. "We can freely express our opinions and thoughts as long as we do not violate our laws," he said.

(PNA)

BARMM...

from page 1

Technical Working Group that will study the position papers of the five BARMM governors who want a postponement: Hataman Salliman, Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Sali, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., and Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.

The five governors submitted their “urgent appeal” to President Marcos in February.

The February 20, 2023 “urgent appeal” called for a swift investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators who ambushed Governor Adiong “and of other violent incidents in the BARMM,” immediate decommissioning of MILF forces, camps and base commands, and postponement of the barangay elections in the BARMM “until after the full decommissioning of the MILF.” Congress decides on the postponement of elections, not the President.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set August 28 to September 2 as the period for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy.

In their February appeal, the governors said they are “seriously concerned that law enforcement in the BARMM

will continue to be handicapped leading to the barangay elections of October 30, 2023 unless effective decommissioning of MILF combatants and firearms is completed.

The Normalization process as agreed upon in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the peace agreement signed by the Philippine government and the MILF in March 2014, involves not only decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons but also the disbandment of private armed groups (PAGS) or what is referred to as private armies of politicians, redeployment of military and police, and transformation of MILF camps into productive communities.

The Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Region reported it still has 23 potential PAGs from 37 on their list, according to Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) had earlier reported that 15,300 MILF combatants out of 40,000 have yet to be decommissioned and only 4,625 firearms have been decommissioned.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Murad” Ebrahim, concurrent chair of the MILF, presided the RPOC meeting. Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo told MIndaNews a Technical Working Group will be created to study the proposal of the governors “as the postponement is a matter that needs congressional enactment.”

The RPOC was attended by Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, BARMM police chief Nobleza, Defense Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez, Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura and OPAPRU Undersecretary David Diciano and Assistant Secretary Jordan Bayam.

Governors Sali, Salliman and Macacua attended the RPOC hosted by Sulu Governor Tan. Mangudadatu and Adiong were absent

from page 1

government under the leadership of Mayor Grace Carmel ParedesBravo implemented the no singleuse plastic regulation for the duration of the Festival on June 1 to 4.

Cane saw warning signs on tarpaulins that single-use plastics are prohibited within the festival venue.

He encouraged festival-goers to use a tumbler for water or juice they will bring to the Naliyagan Festival. He also called on vendors and buyers never to bring plastic bags for all the goods they buy and sell.

Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and

the Memorandum Circular issued by Gov. Cane dated September 30, 2019, entitled “Banning of Single-use Plastics within the Government Center” are the legal basis of the reminders and prohibition issued by the governor.

The Memorandum Circular was temporarily suspended as plastic bags were used for distribution of food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The suspension was lifted on April 1, 2023.

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loans for large companies, to be counted for the computation of banks' reserve requirements since the pandemic started,” he added.

Ricafort said the amount of loans that were extended in line with the alternative RRR compliance is “around P336 billion as of end-2022 but could have grown in early 2023 (could be somewhat covered by the estimated P350 billion funds freed up into the financial system from the cut in banks’ RRR also by end-June 2023).”

He said the additional cash infusion into the economy as a result of the RRR cut will likely be siphoned off through the upcoming 56-day BSP Bills. (PNA)

from page 3

– infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and social services and community development.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised the El Niño Alert, which it expects to emerge by June and persist until the first quarter of next year.

The weather phenomena may cause below-normal rainfall conditions and entail dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country.

De Jesus pointed out that DBP WATER has already contributed P20.3 billion to the required investment of the water supply subsector, which is estimated at P511 billion in 10 years.

He said the bank would continue to support the targets and objectives of the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan amid the challenges of urbanization, rapid population increase, and dwindling freshwater sources.

“DBP is one with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for unified action while ensuring a protocol-based and science-driven approach to address the possible impact of the El Niño phenomena at the short-term and the demand for reliable and potable water supply in the long-term,” de Jesus said. (PNA)

DBP... from page 3

we will intensify our support to the country’s priority programs and initiatives, towards expediting our complete resurgence from the global pandemic,” said Ortiz in a statement.

LANDBANK currently ranks second in the industry in terms of assets at P3.1 trillion and deposits at PHP2.8 trillion as of the first quarter of 2023.

The bank's net income amounted to P10.8 billion in the first quarter of the year.

The bank’s capital also grew by 3.2 percent to P225.3 billion.

At present, LANDBANK is the only bank present in all 82 provinces of the country, providing accessible products and services, including to underserved and remote communities.

LANDBANK is the country’s biggest government-owned and controlled corporation and the largest credit provider to the agriculture sector, among other key economic sectors, with the financial capacity and resources to fully support the national government’s sustainable and inclusive development agenda.

(PNA)

from page 4

There’s nothing wrong with being a team player—as long as you choose the right team: truth’s team. Remember, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

A wise man said: “Please God—and you will please the people God wants you to please.” Today, won’t you decide to join God’s team?

Jesus declared: “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” If you ask Him, Jesus will give you the power and courage to daily make a stand for what is true and right. Plus, you will inspire others to do the same. Just think a minute . . .

Globe...

from page 6

company-wide journey towards greener operations, in line with its commitment to achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050. Coming from the company’s commitment to set science-based targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) in 2021, Globe is set to submit targets to SBTi for validation and approval this year. Ahead of its submission, Globe achieved a 4.42% reduction in its total Scope 1 and 2 emissions driven by the company’s energy management programs and continued shift to renewable energy sources for its high energy sites. This exceeded its interim voluntary reduction target of 4.2% Linear Annual Reduction Rate (LARR) set in 2022, aligned with the SBTi reduction rate for the 1.5˚C global warming scenario. To learn more about Globe’s sustainability commitments and strategies, visit Globe’s Sustainability page. For the latest Globe Integrated Report, click this link.

crossing the finish line, each runner received a unique #IWantToBeHere Cassette Keychain, serving as a memento of their feat.

After the participants caught their breath, KonsultaMD proceeded with a program on the event’s main stage, encouraging the audience to take part in the "Konsulta Kembot Challenge,” where participants showcased their moves, adding their unique twist and flair to the dance routine. The best dancers got amazing prizes, including a lifetime Konsulta Plus subscription, unlimited chat consults on the SuperApp, and exciting giveaways from Huawei, including a smartwatch, smart weighing scale, and Bluetooth earphones.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the official KonsultaMD SuperApp through an engaging video presentation. Packed with enhanced features such as 24/7 doctor consultations, mental health support, at-home laboratory and diagnostics, and medicine delivery, the SuperApp aims to change the healthcare landscape in the country, bringing unprecedented convenience and accessibility to users.

With a vast network of over 1,000 healthcare practitioners, covering more than 60 specializations and speaking 16 languages and dialects, the KonsultaMD SuperApp promises to be a one-stop shop for all healthcare needs.

"The launch of the KonsultaMD SuperApp at the #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run is a significant milestone for us," said Cholo Tagaysay, CEO of KonsultaMD. "Our SuperApp is designed to transform healthcare in the Philippines, enhancing accessibility and convenience for every individual. We are excited to introduce this game-changing platform to our valued users and usher in a new era of healthcare delivery."

The #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run culminated in a post-race party that provided the perfect opportunity for participants to unwind and celebrate their achievements. The crowd danced to the infectious beats spun by DJ Marx Monterola, capturing the vibrant essence of the ColorFest experience. The event area was awash with colorful selfies, creating a captivating tapestry of joy and camaraderie.

The launch of the KonsultaMD SuperApp at the #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run marks a new era in accessible and convenient healthcare in the Philippines. Download the app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store to unlock its groundbreaking features. For more information about the KonsultaMD SuperApp and its extensive range of services, visit http://use.konsulta.md/app.

BusinessWeek

MINDANAO FEATURE

CREDIBLE RELIABLE IN-DEPTH

Energy, wellness, innovation mark KonsultaMD SuperApp launch at #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run

KonsultaMD and ColorFest Manila’s highlysuccessful #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run served as the perfect platform for the official launch of the revolutionary KonsultaMD SuperApp.

Over 2,400 enthusiastic runners, among them barkadas, families, couples and athletes, came before daybreak at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite on April 30 for an unforgettable celebration of health, wellness, and the power of innovation in full color.

The atmosphere was nothing short of electric as participants arrived, greeted by pulsating music, colorful decorations, and lively booths. The excitement was palpable, with people of all ages and from all walks of life donning their white ColorFest Run shirts and sunglasses, ready to embrace the vibrant experience that awaited them.

To kickstart the run, hosts Zara Carbonell and Steve Near led an energizing warm-

up routine, igniting the crowd and preparing them for the race ahead.

The runners set off in waves, embarking on distances ranging from 3 to 10 kilometers as they weaved through Vermosa's scenic landscapes, surrounded by cheers of spectators. To add to the fun, runners got a shower of non-toxic, food-grade colored powder in rainbow colors at several stations along the track. Laughter and excitement filled the air as runners joyfully embraced the clouds of powder.

All through the route, runners got to quench their thirst in watering stations that offered refreshments provided by renowned brands such as Pocari Sweat, Sip, and Pure Nectar. And upon COLOFEST/PAGE 7