Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 328 | Friday, May 12, 2023

PEACE EFFORTS

Protracted war must end now: VP Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, who was just added with the task as co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday, stressed that protracted war must be over.

Her appointment happened during the Executive Committee (ExeCom) meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and other officials in Malacañang.

The vice president is savvy when it comes to the anti-insurgency task force as this was established by her father, the former president Rodrigo Duterte, through Executive Order (EO) 70.

Combatting terrorism and insurgency

Looming El Niño no effect on Davao’s coffee production

The Department of Trade and Industry-Davao Oriental disclosed to media on Wednesday that the looming El

Niño has no effect on the production of coffee in the Davao Region. Art Hermoso, offi-

FLOOMING, P7

has been her battle cry ever since she won vice president and assumed post as Education Secretary.

She also described the meeting and her appointment as a “show of force.”

“This is a show of force — a clear, strong, and powerful statement and warning — against the enemies of the state who slaughter civilians and Indige-

FPEACE, P7

SSS to help contributiondelinquent companies

S

ome ten establishments in Lupon and City of Mati received on Friday, April 28, notices from the Social Security System (SSS) to comply their responsibilities under Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act.

Although the notices specify the establishments’ delinquencies, SSS City of Mati Acting Branch Head Myla Lumangayo explained that the agency offers several ways to assist the employers in settling their obligations via the Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program (CPCoDe MRP).

The program aids delinquent employers in paying unremitted contributions less penalties through a one-time payment or installment term.

Lumangyao said that the SSS gave 15 days to the establishments to visit their office otherwise face further litigation.

The establishments visited were engaged in the retail or sale of gasoline, baked goods, hardware, water refilling, glass products as well as manufacturing of clay building materials, sand and gravel quarrying, a restaurant, wholesale of various consumer goods.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte lauded members of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for their commitment to ending local communist armed conflict in the country during the first NTF-ELCAC execom meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday. FB page of Inday Sara Duterte

Two of the Biggest Expositions in the country are back in Davao City!

The event was officially opened today, spearheaded by Worldbex Services International’s Board of Directors - Mr. Joseph L. Ang, WSI Founding Chairman; Ms. Michelle Paula Ang-Yu, WSI Finance Director, along with distinguished guests of honors from the local government unit - Hon. Secretary Leo Tereso Abellera Magno, Presidential Assistant from Eastern Mindanao; Ms. Jennifer Romero, Officer-in-Charge of the City Tourism Operations Office, Davao City and Vice Mayor Atty. J. Melchor B. Quitain, Jr. of the City Government of Davao.

Department of Tourism- Region XI ; HON. JUBY B. CORDON, Regional Director , Department of Public Works and Highways- Region XI; MR. SAMUEL ANG, Marketing Manager, Pacific Boysen Paint Davao; MR. JAYSON

PEREZ, Wilcon Depot, Sales Manager, Tagum Branch; MS. DAPHNE JEZELLE ALOSADO, Senior Branch Manager, SMX Convention Center Davao; MR. SVEN

GEORGES TOUNE, General Manager, PARK INN By Radisson Davao

Davao City has continued to grow in step with the country’s rapid economic growth through developing businesses in response to the needs of the changing times. With this, the Philippine Building and Construction Expo (PHILBEX) and the Travel and Leisure Expo (TLEX) 2023 are back in Davao City to showcase and revitalize the construction and tourism industry. These two events aim to help invigorate these industries, welcoming new opportunities from local and international traders here at the King City of the South – Davao City.

Together with them are Hon. Tanya Rabat- Tan, Regional Director of the Department of TourismRegion XI; Hon. Juby B. Cordon, Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways at Region XI; Mr. Romeo L. Castañaga, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Trade and IndustryRegion XI. They were joined by Representatives from the Diplomatic Corp from the local offices of Davao and the Presidents from the event’s Association Partners.

These two events will showcase and elevate the growing potential of local industries, offering the innovative capacities of the Filipinos to the international market. PHILBEX and TLEX are open to the public until May 14, 2023, from 11am to 7pm, at the SMX Convention Center Davao, SM Lanang Premiere.

This event is free admission and is organized by Worldbex Services International.

JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations

JOCELYN

GREGORIO GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

MOSES BILLACURA Sports Editor

“This is a show of force — a clear, strong, and powerful statement and warning — against the enemies of the state who slaughter civilians and Indigenous Peoples, abduct and murder and execute members of our security forces, and attempt to pin down our progress as a nation through their ideals anchored on brainwashing, fear, and terrorism. We cannot let these things continue. The so-called protracted war must end. And it must end now.”

Vice President and Education Secretary SARA DUTERTE

On her appointment as co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC):

One of the biggest puzzles in developing economies like the Philippines is in its inability to escape the poverty trap notwithstanding its democratic form of government. Grassroots democracy may refer to those movements meant to empower people in the margins. The reason can be the promotion of civil rights, land reform, or the protection of the interests of the community. Why has there been no substantial change in the lives of people in the margins of Philippine society?

Indeed, it can be argued that the dynamic interplay of people participation, human empowerment and good governance, is only possible when people come to realize the moral ends and value of just political institutions. People participation is not only about citizens following democratic rules and procedures, but more importantly, according to Amartya Sen, it is about how citizens use their

CHRISTOPHER RYAN MABOLOC, Ph.D THEORY AND PRACTICE

THE MORAL PURPOSE OF POLITICS

just entitlements and political rights.

It must be stressed that democratic procedures alone do not guarantee the creation of a just or well-ordered society. Reflecting on Sen’s Development as Freedom, I believe that there is an important distinction between procedural and substantive democracy. If democracy is meant to serve the moral ends of society, then it must benefit ordinary people. Human development begins with the kind of choices people make, and these choices are a concrete manifestation of the substantive freedoms people have and enjoy. Democratic institutions need to be repaired and strengthened, but this requires more than the improvement of constitutional provisions. The value of true democracy depends on how people value their dignity as human beings.

Grassroots democracy is about empowering the poor and

the marginalized. If societies need to be transformed, then power will have to be redirected from the center towards the margins or the peripheries. If power is the true essence of the political apparatus, then it is important that such power is not to fall on the lap of one sector or party, which in most cases, the oligarchy that controls the economy and decision makers in government. Human development is only possible if people have a say in the lives in which they live. Beyond the advocacies for growth and change, people should become actual contributors and stakeholders in laws and public policy by fully exercising their rights, just entitlements, and democratic duties. Institutions play a crucial role, but any institution, the bureaucracy in particular, can be subject to bad decision making and wrong policy directions when government officials and political

leaders have self-serving motives. Realizing the vision of human development is only possible under a mature and functioning democracy. A true democracy requires, as matter of principle, the basic respect for the dignity of the human person, anchored in the strong belief that a life lived in dignity is a human life lived fully and well, which means decent housing, food on the table, health care and education, and secure jobs. Hence, the basic structure of government owes to each and every one of us that it works for the whole person and for all persons. What this means ultimately is that democratic institutions should embody the rule of law and that opportunities should be available to every citizen. In a country ruled by political elites, this is very difficult. Given this situation, it is crucial to repair the country’s many institutional weaknesses.

It is the task of social and political institutions to deliver the poor out of their difficult lives. Government institutions, however, are limited by bureaucratic procedures. The implementation of rules and government programs are affected by the vested interests of those who are in power. In the ideal sense, the above implies that “justice as fairness” requires that no person should be used as a mere means to an end for the good of those who are in the high places of society. No individual should be disadvantaged by the social and political apparatus. It is a requirement of justice that each person is given his or her due as a human being. This is the fundamental role of justice, says the political thinker, John Rawls. Justice means serving the disadvantaged, whose misfortune in the natural lottery is not their fault. Recognizing this is the moral purpose of politics.

HARVESTING CACAO ALL-YEAR ROUND

Breathes there a man with a soul so dead who has never tried chocolate. Most ladies and little children love eating chocolate, a food made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels.

I like chocolates but don’t love it to the extent that I cannot live without having chocolate in a day. If there’s chocolate, fine; if there’s none, it’s fine also. But my nieces love chocolates; so much so that even ice cream and donuts must be flavored with chocolates.

If I go to the United States, one of the pasalubongs my nieces and sisters request is – yes, you’re right – chocolates. After all, there are so many chocolates, lots of them, available in the land of milk and honey.

What most people don’t know, even those chocolate aficionados, is that for most of its 3,500-year history, it was not meant to be eaten but rather consumed as a beverage. When I was still a kid, I loved drinking hot chocolate which my mother prepared from tableya.

Chocolates come from cacao trees. The Chiapas and the Yucatan regions of Central America were the first peoples who cultivated the cacao and made use of its product by grinding the beans and then mixing with water.

Around A.D. 200, the Olmec civilizations were overthrown by the Mayan civilization. The vast cacao plantations were used as a source of currency, with the little black beans being traded for goods or services. Can you imagine working for eight hours and at the end of the day, you are paid by cacao beans?

In those days, if you were poor, you couldn’t drink it. Only those belong to the ruling class can consume it. It was at this time that the process of making cacao drink became more sophisticated – the beans were roasted and then ground with water before spices such as chili were added. The resulting mixture was shaken until it developed a frothy top, at which point it was ready to be enjoyed.

Famed Emperor Montezuma (who inspired Filipino comics novelist Jim Fernandez to create his equally famous character, Zuma) enjoyed the drink so much that he reputedly downs 50 goblets full every day.

It wasn’t until in 1847 that chocolate bars came into existence. Thanks to Joseph Fry, a British manufacturer who mixed melted cacao butter into a paste that was then pressed into a mold and sold as a solid bar.

Milton Snavely Hershey entered the chocolate business in 1893. And that was how milk chocolate Hershey bar and Hershey’s Kisses were born. During World War II, chocolate bars became a standard issue item for the U.S. military.

“In 1670, Spanish mariner Pedro Bravo de Lagunas planted the first cacao in San Jose, Batangas,” reports The Philippines Recommends for Cacao. After that, cacao growing flourished in various parts of the country.

Since cacao is considered an equatorial crop (crops that thrive well on regions occupying the equator), the Philippines has a great potential for growing cacao. “I really could not believe why we cannot import cacao beans when the Philippines is ideal for growing cacao,” Jethro P. Adang, director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC).

Although cacao can be grown anywhere in the country, Mindanao has two advantages: good rainfall and good soil. Studies have shown that the potential expansion for cacao growing is huge: about 2,000,000 hectares of coconut lands are “highly suited” to be interplanted with cacao.

Now, there’s new cacao farm-

ing technique that can turn an allyear round harvest. “How can you expect a tree to yield a large volume of cacao pods if the bud wood used in grafting for the seedling to be planted doesn’t yield cacao pods?”

Jack Sandique, a cacao farming expert of Cacao PhilSense who asked the question, said that this is the problem most farmers are not aware of since grafted seedlings are either given to them for free or if they bought it, they don’t know where they were sourced.

Cacao PhilSense is a group of cacao experts in cacao farming, post-harvest and cacao bean processing. They are advocates of these new methodology and techniques in cacao farming and post-harvest processes.

In traditional farming, a farmer is given grafted cacao seedlings to be planted. Most of them do not even know where the seedlings came from, and sometimes they do not know which cacao variety they’re planting. The farmer is often promised that after two to three years, the cacao trees will start to bear fruit and their hard work will pay off once they can sell the dried beans or process the cacao beans further as tableya.

However, after two to three

years, some farms have cacao trees that barely produce flowers with some trees being stunted. With this, farmers will spend another year or two and end up having to spend more money.

Just recently, Sandique conducted a training for participants and stakeholders of the Department of Science and Technology Region VII (DOST-VII) - Bohol Provincial Office.

Cacao PhilSense’ new way of cacao farming, grooms the cacao trees, making the cacao pod harvesting to be done all year round, with no more peak or lean season.

Part of this new technique is carefully selecting the planting materials to be considered for grafting. The bud wood must come from a productive tree that produces high yield of cacao pods.

The planting bags used for growing seedlings in the nursery are much bigger compared to the traditional ones being used. This allows the roots to grow even during the nursery stage in preparation for planting.

Using this method of seedling preparation paired with proper land area preparation would result in the planted cacao seedling to start bearing fruits after one and a half years.

DTI ramps up efforts to increase exports

will focus on investment promotion and strategic activities as part of the government’s efforts to increase the country’s exports.

In a Viber message on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the country’s export performance remains to be largely affected by the tapering demand for semiconductor, which account for almost 40 percent of total merchandise exports.

“Industry players expect this to be temporary as global investments in semiconductor manufacturing have been increasing significantly. Thus, we need to position the Philippines to take a greater share of this increasingly important global value chain,” he said.

Data recently released by the

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that exports which amounted to USD6.52 billion in March, declined by 9.1 percent from last year’s USD7.1 billion.

Citing a study conducted by the International Trade Center, Pascual said the country has the potential to increase exports by as much as USD49 billion based on the Philippines’ supply capacity, the demand conditions in the target market, and bilateral linkages between the Philippines and the target market.

To achieve this, Pascual cited the need to make products and services more visible in international

ECOP: P150 pay hike to widen gap of formal, informal sectors

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said the proposed PHP150 legislated daily pay increase will only widen the wage gap between the formal and informal sectors.

markets through trade promotion, better understand clients, invest and expand production capabilities and utilize existing preferential trade agreements.

“Evidently, we need to diversify our export basket, and investments play a key role in developing Philippine capabilities to produce and export more of higher value products,” he said.

“We will focus on investment attraction and export development in sectors where we have established capabilities that can serve as a solid foundation for export growth and are well-positioned to seize opportunities in emerging trends. These are: Industrial, Manufacturing, and Transport (IMT), Technology, Media, and Telecommunication (TMT), and Health and Life Science (HLS),” he added.

PBBM urges ASEAN to provide support to nano businesses

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to provide support to nano businesses, noting that this sector could contribute to the region’s overall economic growth and narrow the development gap.

In his intervention during the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), Marcos said these nano businesses are the various “solopreneurs” and home-based busi-

nesses, such as make-up artists, vulcanizers, independent dispatch riders, vendors, repairers and market women and men in the various open markets.

He pointed out that these nano businesses have been impacting lives of people in the region, but they are somehow ignored because of their status as an informal and still unrecognized business category.

He also argued that nano businesses are just as viable as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“They play a very important but often unrecognized role all across

our countries. But by classification, they often do not meet the MSME micro-business criteria, which is the category for the smallest businesses.

They are largely unaccounted for, but these informal business settings constitute a large portion of all our economies,” Marcos told the ASEAN-BAC gathering.

ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Chair Mohammad Arsjad Rasjid Prabu Mangkuningrat, who also chairs the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), backed Marcos’ call to recognize and support nano businesses.

During the Laging Handa public briefing Wednesday, ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis said only 16 percent of the employed Filipinos will only benefit from the proposed wage hike, which is pending in the Senate.

“If we will have the legislated wage increase, only 16 percent of the 50 million workers will benefit. And who are those 84 percent? These are the farmers, fisherfolk, market vendors, those in the small industries, tricycle drivers, jeepney

drivers —they do not have employers. If you will hike the wages, who will increase the wages of the 84 percent?” Ortiz-Luis said in Filipino.

He added wage hikes could trigger higher prices of commodities, which those in the informal sector would not afford.

“Does the government have other programs for the 84 percent who will not have wage increase? If the government will pay for the PHP150 for the 42 million workers, that’s in trillion (pesos), and our budget could not afford that,” he said.

Ortiz-Luis said even without the legislated wage increase, employers, especially large companies, have been generous in giving benefits to their workers. (PNA)

BIR hits Jan-Apr collection target

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) achieved its collection goal for January to April this year.

In a statement on Wednesday, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said BIR “recorded a historic feat” in reaching the collection goal for the first four months of the year.

While the exact figure was not disclosed, BIR earlier set PHP826.8 billion collection goal for January to April this year.

“We reached our goal for January to April of 2023. In the last 30 years, this feat was only done a handful of times. This is a strong and historic start for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, taking into account that we are recovering from the economic repercussion caused

by the pandemic,” Lumagui said. He said the collection record was largely due to the agency’s four main programs.

“For this administration, we need only address four areas of concern. Intensification of Enforcement Activities, Taxpayer’s Service, Integrity and Professionalism, Digitalization,” he said.

“Fixing these areas will bring the BIR to greater heights. I am confident that as long as we address these areas, the BIR will reach its collection goal for 2023,” Lumagui added.

For this year, the BIR’s collection target is PHP2.6 trillion.

Last year, the BIR exceeded its PHP2.1 trillion revenue goal by more than PHP500 million. (PNA)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. takes part in the engagements with the representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, ASEAN Youth, ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community’s Post 2025 Vision during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on Thursday. Office of the President

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. takes part in the engagements with the representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, ASEAN Youth, ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community's Post 2025 Vision during the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on Thursday. Office of the President

PH agriculture grows 2.1% in Q1, PSA says

Economist sees sustained increase in FDIs to PH

Foreign direct investments (FDIs) to the Philippines is expected to further rise with the reopening of the economy and investment commitments secured from various trips overseas of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., according to an economist.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday showed that FDIs posted net inflows of PHP1.05 billion in February 2023, up by 13 percent from the USD926 million in the same period last year.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the latest net FDI level is among the highest since the pandemic started.

“For the coming months, net FDIs could pick up further amid measures to further reopen the economy with no more restrictions as a policy priority, the Philippine economic/GDP (gross domestic product) growth expected to be among the fastest in the region, the country’s attractive demographics, economic reopening of China (which is the world’s second biggest economy) since December 2022, and investment commitments obtained by the administration from overseas

The total value of production in agriculture and fisheries sector grew by 2.1 percent in the first quarter of the year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday.

visits/trips in recent months,” he said.

Ricafort said the inclusion of the Philippines in the world’s biggest free trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), “would help attract more FDIs to locate in the country as a production and/or marketing base, as well as an access point to bigger export markets of the other RCEP member countries in the region and in other parts of the world.”

“Furthermore, the passage of reform measures in recent months/ years, especially the CREATE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act) law that reduces the corporate income tax by at least 5 percentage points (from 30 percent) retroactive July 2020 and providing greater certainty on investments would also continue to help attract more FDIs to be more decisive and locate in the country,” he said.

Ricafort said reforms and amendments on foreign ownership limits, such as those under the Public Services Act, Foreign Investments Act and Retail Trade Liberalization Act, “would all further encourage and attract more FDIs into the country.”

The PSA said at constant 2018 prices, the value of production amounted to PHP428.69 billion, up from last year’s PHP419.96 billion.

“This was due to the annual increases in the value of production of crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries,” PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Dennis Mapa said.

Value of crops which reached

PHP247.76 billion, an increase of 1.7 percent from the PHP243.65 billion a year ago.

The total value of livestock production also expanded by 4.1 percent to PHP61.65 billion from PHP59.21 billion in the first quarter of 2022.

Value of poultry production which amounted to PHP64.94 billion, went up by 3.2 percent from the previous year’s PHP62.96 bil-

lion, while fisheries production slightly rose to PHP54.32 billion from PHP54.14 billion.

In terms of volume, the PSA said both palay and corn production expanded by 5.2 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively.

Hog and cattle production also grew by 5.1 percent and 1.9 percent.

Decreases, however, were seen in the production of carabao (-1.2 percent), goat (-3.6 percent), and dairy (-11.4 percent).

The PSA said chicken production grew by 3.3 percent, chicken eggs by 2.8 percent, and duck eggs by 3.8 percent.

Pag-IBIG finances 2,968 houses for min., low-wage earners in Q1

The Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund on Wednesday said it has financed 2,968 socialized homes for minimum-wage and low- income members in the first three months of 2023.

In a statement, Pag-IBIG said socialized home loans make up 14% of the 21,870 units financed by the agency from January to March.

The amount of socialized home loans represents 5% or P1.26 billion

out of the P27.57 billion home loans released by Pag-IBIG Fund during the period.

Pag-IBIG Fund said its Affordable Housing Program (AHP) is for members from the low-income and minimum-wage sectors who earn up to P15,000 a month in the National Capital Region (NCR), and up to P12,000 per month outside the NCR.

Under the AHP, borrowers enjoy a subsidized rate of 3% per annum for home loans of up to P580,000

for socialized subdivision projects, and up to P750,000 socialized condominium projects.

Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta said the AHP’s special rate of 3% per annum – a rate that the agency has provided for low-income members since May 2017 – remains the lowest in the market.

The loan program also features a 100% loan-to-value ratio allowing borrowers to enjoy equity-free purchase of housing units, the agency said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Davao Oriental OIC provincial director Art Hermoso, together with PhilCAFE Project chief of party T.J. Ryan, says during this week’s Wednesdays at Habi at Kape at Abreeza Ayala Mall thatthe looming El Niño won’t affect in coffee production in Davao Region. Lean Daval Jr.

Exciting deals are coming your way this HONOR Payday Sale!

Get your dream HONOR smartphones for up to Php 750 discount, with exclusive bundles and free shipping nationwide on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok!

Manila, Philippines – The country’s leading smart devices provider, HONOR, is throwing away exclusive deals and free shipping discounts nationwide this payday sale! Up to Php 750 worth of discounts on HONOR devices, including the viral X series, will be available via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop!

“HONOR prides itself on its wide range of smartphones and devices that cater to every Filipino lifestyle. We have the DSLR-like phone, HONOR X8a for photography enthusiasts, the HONOR X7a for those who are continuously using their mobile devices and need a long-lasting battery, and the indestructible HONOR X9a 5G for those who are worried of continuously drop-

ping their phones and cracking their screens. We also have the HONOR MagicBook X laptops and HONOR Pad 8 for digital people who are always on the go,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

Enjoy amazing deals and free shipping discounts from May 13 to 17 with Lazada Sulit Sweldo Sale (https:// bit.ly/3VGu3OV), TikTok

Budol Sale from May 14 to 16 (https://bit.ly/3IMaizo), and Shopee Payday Sale on May 15 (https://bit.ly/3J1Zv5n).

Early birds can also get exclusive freebies on selected HONOR gadgets! Get a FREE Magic Keyboard with Php 5,990 when you purchase an HONOR Pad8, and a FREE Premium HONOR bag worth Php 2,000 for every purchase of HONOR MagicBook X 14

or MagicBook X 15. For more information and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram

(Instagram.com/honorphilippines/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https:// www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

POCO dazzles tech fans with the latest F-series flagship products

BEIJING, CHINA – POCO, a popular technology brand among young tech enthusiasts, unveiled the F5 series of mobile devices specially designed for gaming geeks, photography enthusiasts, and tech lovers.

Over the past five years, POCO has been exploring the frontiers of technologies to understand, develop and provide what the fans want. The ongoing exploration and continuous refinements into POCO’s flagship line have resulted in two

dazzling new devices set to open the door to a world of possibilities.

Powered by Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1, POCO F5 Pro is the first POCO device to feature a WQHD+ 120Hz AMOLED DotDisplay, as a flagship all-arounder. Meanwhile, delivering a super-fast gaming experience, the flagship speedster POCO F5 is the first smartphone released globally with a Snapdragon® 7+ Gen 2 processor.

“Designed for dedicated techies who want the best forward-looking

technology, we have created two devices that make gaming easier and even more enjoyable, taking photographs, creating video content, or using multiple apps. If gaming is your priority, the POCO F5 is a fantastic choice, while the POCO F5 Pro, especially the 512GB mode, is the perfect choice for pro users.”

POCO F5 Pro: Ignite your hyperpower with hyper-visuals and hyper-performance

As one of the best devices for gaming or watching movies, POCO F5 Pro delivers incredible visual experiences that go beyond expectations. The hyper clear WQHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display features 1400 nits (peak brightness) and 68 billion true-to-life colors. It looks almost twice as clear as an FHD+ display and reveals more details than ever, from raindrops on flowers to appetizing food photos and even the subtle details of a bird’s feather, the images produced are stunning. On top of that, the self-developed super touch makes gaming steadier and more accurate and ultimately increases the chances of winning.

Equipped with the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1, the POCO F5 Pro operates at low power consumption while maintaining high performance. The device features LiquidCool Technology 2.0 with a high-efficient Vapor Chamber and intelligent frame stabilization technology FEAS 2.2. The advanced technology improves performance by dissipating heat efficiently, which also helps extend the lifespan of the battery and the device.

POCO F5 Pro also has a steady,

fast camera that produces photos and videos with hyperclarity. Images are made prettier than ever, with high-definition output and a P3 color gamut that is 25% larger than sRGB. Moreover, it supports 8K video shooting, while OIS and EIS ensure video stability, especially when capturing fast and unpredictable subjects like animals, children, sports games, music performances, and busy events.

Last but not least, the 5160mAh battery will power through your whole day and offers a choice of multiple fast charging methods, making this a reliable companion day and night. When you need a break to recharge yourself, with about 30 minutes, the 30W wireless charger will take your phone to 50%, and the 67W turbocharging technology can recharge to the same level in 15 minutes.

POCO F5: The origin of speed delivered by market-first Snapdragon® 7+ Gen 2

As the first smartphone featuring Snapdragon® 7+ Gen 2 in global markets, POCO F5 is explicitly created for techies who love mobile gaming. POCO F5 delivers a robust and smooth performance even when switching between multiple apps, from scrolling and browsing to video calls and watching live streamings. The brand-new 5G chipset Antutu score is 31% higher than the previous generation, an unbeatable score even considering some famous 8-series chipsets. To provide a better gaming experience, LiquidCool Technology 2.0’s Vapor Chamber with steam channels comes into play, absorbing the heat generated

as the chipset gets hotter and improving heat dissipation by 35%

The device offers users a comfortable visual experience, multitasking amongst apps, even during long gaming sessions or a busy day. In addition, you can enjoy your favorite content on the 6.67-inch 120Hz Flow AMOLED DotDisplay.

Its screen-to-body ratio of 93.4% creates a truly immersive experience, whether it’s watching YouTube, Netflix, or any other streaming channel. Thanks to the 1920Hz PWM dimming and SGS-certified Low Blue Light Ex eye care, it’s also easy on your eyes.

Taking a break from the excitement of gaming when you want to capture photos, POCO F5 has you covered with a 64MP main camera setup with numerous functions and filters. As the advanced camera processing system is supported by the Snapdragon® 7+ Gen 2, the camera’s speed on setup and photography is significantly faster. In addition, 4K video shooting benefits from OIS and EIS, which reduce blur caused by moving the phone, and meaningful memories with family, friends, and pets can be captured. For an enhanced user experience, POCO offers a choice of film filters and frames to delight different users’ aesthetics and preferences for capturing amazing shots.

With so many functions and apps to use, excellent battery life is a priority for the POCO F5 too, so its users can say goodbye to battery anxiety. It has a super-fast charging time thanks to its 67W turbocharging, bringing power back up to 100% within 50 minutes.

AD status in question as Warriors force Game 6

SAN FRANCISCO — Anthony Davis walked carefully out of the Chase Center without talking to the media, looking straight ahead after taking an inadvertent shot to the head from Kevon Looney and opening the door to questions about his status for the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.

An increasingly chippy series, it should be said. It hasn’t reached the point of disdain or contentiousness, but both sides are sens-

ing the urgency of the moment — with the Warriors feeling the heat of possible elimination after dropping two straight games in

Los Angeles.

The key figures with the Lakers seem optimistic Davis will be OK, but there seems to be a long way between now and Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals — 48 hours, almost exactly.

The Warriors staved off elimination — at least for a night, deciding they want one more tangle with the Lakers with a 121-106 Game 5 win Wednesday night. If the Lakers believed the Warriors were staggering and not wanting

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

This may yet apply to both Gilas or the GSW quintets as both will be battling for survival in their respective circles.

The “Redeem Team” tag for Gilas does not sound appropriate just because it sounds like the US Dream Team of the 1990s Olympic squads as the latter starred the best basketeer the Americans could gather.

In our case, the Pinoys are due to collide against host Cambodia who is fielding an American import-laden line up.

If Gilas survives, then they get a reprieve as the Pinoys still have to take the measure of defending

champion Indonesia who, coach Chot Reyes has scouted, are not leaving any stone unturned to repeat its surprise conquest of the Philippines a year ago in Hanoi.

The more pressing development and highly anticipated by basketball fanatics is the Game 6 Western Conference semis between Los Angeles and San Francisco Thursday. The Lakers now lead 3-1 as Lebron and company tamed Steph and his gang 104-101 in Game 4, winning two home games versus the hardfighting defending titleholders from the City by the Bay.

to give them any life, they took the appropriate approach compared to conceding in the Memphis series where they also led 3-1.

It turned out the Warriors are as competitively stubborn as advertised, and a lot more than a front-running, free-wheeling team they’ve been made out to be. They’ll have another opportunity to extend their streak of 28 series with at least one win on the road, and if they do, we’ll all be back at Chase for a heavenly seventh

REPRIEVE OR END OF THE ROAD?

Darvin Ham, expressing allelluias for his boys’ tough comeback, has an ace up in his sleeve as reserve Lonnie Walker IV connected from all angles, producing 21 markers that even Steve Kerr failed to decipher.

Walker is not in the Lakers’ rotation and the basketball community was surprised to see him toss in outside shots that kept LA in the thick of the fight.

Kerr will have to check his roster if there’s anybody who could put the cuff on Walker in Game 6 or it is the end of the road.

Did you see Lebron hugged Walker on the sidelines and all

the lakers gathered around after the final buzzer as if they had already snatched the championship trophy?

AD did feel relieved as Walker continued to pump in the counter baskets as Curry, Thompson and Wiggins alternately hit the hoops with twos and threes.

For a while, I entertained the notion that the Warriors would eventually level at 2-all.

Home court advantage did the possible for the Lakers who are more confident as ever to end the series in the GSW Chase Center arena for a 4-1 conclusion.

Of course, Kerr isn’t throwing

game Sunday afternoon. They took a chunk out of the Lakers on Wednesday, with LeBron James playing 39 minutes and Davis 32 before exiting with 7:34 remaining in the fourth and the Lakers down 14.

Davis, who scored 23 with 9 rebounds, initially held his head and went slowly to the bench before going to the locker room area, as TNT reported he was placed in a wheelchair, giving speculation of perhaps suffering a concussion.

the towel yet, not even when they are gasping for breath.

Again, allow me to get back to Gilas who are sailing in rough seas.

Now I am more worried than Chot Reyes is. The rest of the ASEAN countries appear to gang up on us because Pinoys have the stranglehold of the basketball crown for the last 33 years.

Cambodia will try to imitate Indonesia and duplicate its feat and then celebrate with gusto as if it were independence day. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis sits on the bench after an apparent injury during the second half of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals series against the Golden

PHILBEX, TLEX Davao 2023 open new opportunities for traders: WSI

BY MAYA M. PADILLO

PHILBEX Davao is the largest and the most comprehensive building and construction trade show organized in Mindanao. The event has also set the standards through which local exhibitors count for knowledge and exposure.

Four hundred and fifty companies are participating in this year’s 7th PHILBEX Davao 2023 Philippine Building and Construction Exposition and 4th Travel and Leisure Expo (TLEX), which opened on Thursday at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center.

“PHILBEX and TLEX Davao 2023 aim to help revitalized the growth of the local industry in tourism, building, and design and welcome new opportunities from local and international traders here at the King City of the South, Davao City,” Ang, organizer of PHILBEX and TLEX (Travel and Leisure Expo) 2023, said in his message during the opening.

The event gathers leading players in the industry, including construction companies.

In his message read by Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr., Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said the events are an exciting opportunity for Davao City to showcase its potential as a hub for the tourism and construction industries.

“As these significant events bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from different industries, may it inspire new business opportunities, and promote innovations that could drive

economic growth in the city and the whole country,” the mayor said.

He added that the two expositions help promote the city’s potential as a destination for both business and leisure, attract more investments, boost the city’s economy, and create more job opportunities for the Dabawenyos.

Regional director Tanya Rabat-Tan of the Department of Tourism (DOT 11) said with the return of PHILBEX and TLEX, the people in the Davao Region are equally excited with the number of opportunities and experiences that these important events will offer.

She said PHILBEX and TLEX also have the power to lure potential businesses and investments to the region.

“We are also grateful that you have made these events a platform for us to highlight and promote our beautiful destinations, cultures, and other tourism-related offerings,” she said in her message.

Meanwhile, Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Secretary Leo Tereso Magno assured that the Office of the Special Assistant to the President and the Office of the President will help address the concerns of the construction and tourism sectors in Davao City and Mindanao.

“If you have any concerns that you want to raise and bring to the Office of the Special Assistant to the President and the Office of the President, I am here to listen to you. Just let us know and we will help you address your concerns,” he said in his message.

Worldbex Services International (WSI) founding chairman Joseph Ang said new opportunities will open up for local and international traders in Davao City.

DOH... FROM 2

nous Peoples, abduct and murder and execute members of our security forces, and attempt to pin down our progress as a nation through their ideals anchored on brainwashing, fear, and terrorism. We cannot let these things continue. The so-called protracted war must end. And it must end now,” she said in her message during the NTF-ELCAC Execom meeting.

The vice president said serving as the Secretary of Education, she realized how deeply ingrained the problem of insurgency in the country is.

“They have infiltrated our institutions and sectors and remained a serious threat to the well-being of the Filipino People, particularly our youth. Education, therefore, is one of the greatest weapons we can use in suppressing the lies and deceptions of these terrorists and their allied organizations,” she said.

However, according to her the terrorists are also using education as a machine to propagate their violent ideology and systematically recruit Filipino students.

“We cannot let them continue preying on the innocence and idealistic nature of the Filipino

According to SSS City of Mati data, a total of 41 employees were affected and the total contribution delinquency of the identified employers accrued to Php 519,476.31.

The visitation was part of the nationwide Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) in celebration of the National Labor Day on May 1.

Sharon Porlares, BOP7 Man-

LOOMING... FROM 2

youth,” she said.

Duterte urged the body to take advantage of strength derived from unity and good governance to promote sustainable peace and development for every Filipino to enjoy.

The EO70 provides a platform to bring the efforts together to address the issues that the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) has been using to advance its agenda.

“We have already learned that our battle against the CTG takes more than military prowess for us to come out victorious. The whole-of-government and wholeof-nation approach proved to be truly effective in this battle against the despicable ways of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” she said.

She also commended everyone’s dedication to contributing to the country’s fight against the deceptions, injustices, and atrocities perpetrated by the CPP-NPANDF.

“Our love for this country and genuine concern for the welfare of the Filipino People bind us together in this noble mission of protecting the whole nation and securing a better future for the Filipino People,” she said.

agement Trainee of SSS, said that the RACE was the agency’s small token of appreciation to the Filipino workers for all their hardwork and perseverance to better their lives and that of their families.

Porlares added that the employees of the establishments they visited should not worry, instead be glad that their contributions are being watched closely by the SSS.

cer-in-charge and provincial director of DTI-Davao Oriental, said this is based on the number of entries and quality of coffees submitted for the upcoming Philippine Coffee Competition in line with the Philippine Coffee Expo 2023 slated on June 2 to 4, 2023 in Manila.

She said there are 29 entries of robusta and arabica varieties from the Davao Region for the Barista and Coffee Academy of Asia-Manila (BCAA-Manila) for the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition 2023. Out of that 29 entries, 26 are from Mt. Apo. Entries were submitted last May 6, 2023.

“So based on the entries for the Philippine Coffee Competition it seems na El Niño does not affect the production because we have a lot of entries participating in the competition,” Hermoso said during Wednesdays at Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Mall.

She added that the looming drought won’t affect the coffee farms in the Davao Region.

“I think the farms we visited in Balutakay are prepared for El Niño because naa silay pipeline of sprinklers na ready na and then in Balutakay free-flowing ang ilahang water. The water system there is already available. If there

is El Niño the better daw for coffee kay mas magflower sila,” she said.

The Philippine Coffee Expo is considered the grandest national coffee event in the country, with the biggest gathering of leading brands and personalities, and featuring a wide range of activities, competitions, and plenary topics designed to educate, inspire, and entertain attendees.

“The Philippine Coffee Expo shows na may bukas sa kape, may pera sa kape, may magandang kinabukasan para sa ating mga farmers and entrepreneurs,” Hermoso said. By Maya M. Padillo

CRUCIAL MATCH

Gilas women take on Indonesia

PHNOM PENH. – Gilas Pilipinas’ women’s team faces Indonesia in the continuation of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games basketball tournament at the Morodok Elephant Hall 2 Friday.

The match is set at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. Philippine time).

The Philippines will be in for a challenge against Indonesia, which remained undefeated following Thursday’s action.

Indonesia defeated Malaysia 85-57 for a 3-0 win-loss record in the team standings, with Kimberly Pierre Louis finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds and Peyton Alexis Whitted adding 16 points and six rebounds.

Indonesia, which won a silver medal in Hanoi last year, will be one of the challengers of the Philippines in its bid for a three-peat. Gilas was battling Singapore at press time.

In the men’s side, Gilas Pilipinas takes a break on Friday before finishing the group stage against Singapore.

Meantime, cricket gave the Philippines a silver medal in the women’s 6-a-side event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the AZ Group Cricket Oval last Wednesday.

After losing to Indonesia, 2578, the team bounced back and advanced to the final after a 54-42 win over host Cambodia.

The Philippine women’s 6-a-team is composed of Jennifer Alumbro, Jhon Andreano, Josie

GAME FRIDAY

(Morodok Elephant Hall 2) 1 p.m. local time / 2 p.m. Manila time – Philippines vs. Indonesia

The country’s women’s T10 team is set to compete for a gold on the final day of the SEA Games on May 16 against an opponent still to be determined.

“The T10 event is not finished yet but the Philippine women’s team has already secured a guaranteed silver medal in that event as well,” said Faisal Khan, the Philippine Cricket Association chief executive officer.

Cricket debuted in the 2017 SEA Games, and made its comeback this year.

“Getting a medal in their first appearance is a big achievement. I can see a much-better performance in future events,” said Khan.

The Philippines will be in for a challenge against Indonesia, which remained undefeated following Thursday’s action.

Arimas, Shanilyn Asis, Catherine Bagaoisan, Jona Eguid, Joelle Galapin, Mar Mandia, Johannah McCall, Lolita Olagiure, Romela Osabel, Riza Penalba, April Saquilon, Simran Sirah, and Alex Smith.