From the Newsrooms: January 8 to 13, 2023
THE IDEA had been simmering but it broke out for all the public to think about when House Speaker Martin Romualdez took up the need for Charter change (Cha-cha). He recalled two resolutions that had raised the issues earlier in 2023, saying the amendments would focus on economi.....»»
From the Newsrooms: March 10 to 16, 2024
THE STATE of the ruling alliance has taken back the news spotlight as the President and his predecessor engaged in yet another sharp exchange, suggesting that all is not well in Team Unity. The depth of hostility between the two remains the subject of public speculation.The media this week reported yet another back-and-forth between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the former president, Rodrigo Duterte. The ex.....»»
From the Newsrooms: February 4 to 10, 2024
MARCOS' VISIT on February 7 fixed the news spotlight on Davao. Although bad weather had caused quite severe flooding and landslides in the area, the President's schedule which had been set earlier did not include stops in any of the disaster sites, although he did an aerial inspection and attended a briefing on the situation.The media did keep a close watch for signs of heightened or lighter tension between the.....»»
From the Newsrooms: February 4 to 10, 2024
MARCOS' VISIT on February 7 fixed the news spotlight on Davao. Although bad weather had caused quite severe flooding and landslides in the area, the President's schedule which had been set earlier did not include stops in any of the disaster sites, although he did an aerial inspection and attended a briefing on the situation.The media did keep a close watch for signs of heightened or lighter tension between the.....»»
From the Newsrooms: February 11 to 17, 2024
WITH PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr's clear signal of his approval, it was no surprise for the media to pick up the heightened discussion of charter change (Chacha) in the Senate.On February 12, the Senate was clearly engaged in the process as its Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes began its second deliberation of the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 amending three constitutional provi.....»»
From the Newsrooms: February 11 to 17, 2024
WITH PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr's clear signal of his approval, it was no surprise for the media to pick up the heightened discussion of charter change (Chacha) in the Senate.On February 12, the Senate was clearly engaged in the process as its Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes began its second deliberation of the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 amending three constitutional provi.....»»
From the Newsrooms: February 18 to 24, 2024
IN 2019, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, made a bold claim that he had successfully prevented a 6.8 magnitude earthquake by simply yelling "Stop". But more recently, the self-proclaimed "appointed son of God" has not been able to halt the tremor of charges involving human trafficking for labor and sex, and sexual molestation filed against him by former members and workers of h.....»»
Philippines external trade drops 2.1 pct in January
MANILA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' total external trade in goods declined 2.1 percent year-on-year in January to 16.09 billion U.S. dollars, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday. Of the total external trade in January, 63.1 percent were imported goods, while the rest were exported goods, the agency said. The PSA said trade deficit in January amounted to 4.22 billion dollars.....»»
P3-M damage reported in school building fire
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported a devastating fire at F. Bustamante National High School in Tibungco, Davao City, on January 14, causing an estimated P3 million in damages. The fire affected 14 rooms, with nine being totally damaged and one partially damaged. The Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao (BFP-Davao) struggled to contain the blaze, which lasted for two hours. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or houses affected despite the school's proximity to a residential area. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. This incident adds to a series of school fires in the region, with three state-owned schools destroyed in 2023. The BFP-Davao and Team Davao Rescue have responded to over 15 fire incidents in the first and second weeks of January 2024, indicating a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023......»»
Philippines posts 740 mln USD deficit in January
MANILA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' overall balance of payments (BOP) posted a 740 million U.S. dollars deficit in January 2024, a reversal from the 3.1 billion dollars BOP surplus recorded a year ago, the country's central bank has said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Monday that the BOP deficit in January reflected outflows arising mainly from the national government's payments of its f.....»»
Philippines posts 740 mln USD deficit in January
MANILA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' overall balance of payments (BOP) posted a 740 million U.S. dollars deficit in January 2024, a reversal from the 3.1 billion dollars BOP surplus recorded a year ago, the country's central bank has said. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Monday that the BOP deficit in January reflected outflows arising mainly from the national government's payments of its f.....»»
Philippines FDI net inflows drop by 29.6 pct in October
MANILA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines declined year-on-year by 29.6 percent in October 2023 to 655 million U.S. dollars, the country's central bank said Wednesday. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the latest figure brought the country's FDI net inflows from January to October 2023 to 6.5 billion dollars, a 17.5 percent decline from the same period.....»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Biz Bureau surpasses 43-K permit renewals
The Davao City Business Bureau has achieved a significant milestone by processing over 43,000 business permit renewals as of January 29, 2024, surpassing last year's numbers. Maribel Paguican, the Head of the Business Bureau, revealed this accomplishment in a radio interview on January 30, 2024. She highlighted the bureau's performance, stating that they had already exceeded the previous year's figures by 270 renewals. Despite the positive outcome, Paguican acknowledged that they are still short of reaching the 46,000 permits issued the previous year. With approximately 2,890 renewals remaining, including 291 applicants considering retirement, the bureau anticipates around 2,599 renewal applicants. Paguican emphasized the upcoming retirement deadline on January 31, urging business owners to comply to avoid penalties ranging from P1,000 to P5,000. She also advised on the required documentation for retirement, emphasizing the importance of submitting the necessary paperwork to facilitate the process......»»
2.4M Dabawenyos working as of Oct 2023
The October 2023 Preliminary Employment report by the Philippine Statistics Authority-Davao Region (PSA-Davao) reveals that 64 percent of the 3.780 million Dabawenyos aged 15 and above are part of the labor force, indicating that 2.42 million individuals are employed. This represents a 1.8 percentage point increase from the previous year. The report also highlights a 97.1 percent employment rate in the Davao Region as of October 2023, with a 2.9 percent unemployment rate, lower than the national average. Despite this, the region still maintains the highest employment rate in the Philippines. Additionally, the report compares employment rates across different regions, with Soccsksargen, Barmm, Central Luzon, CAR, Caraga, Western Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, and Central Visayas surpassing the national average. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) records the highest labor force participation rate among 17 regions, while the Zamboanga Peninsula has the lowest rate. The data is collected through the Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted quarterly and monthly by the PSA central office and its regional statistical services offices. The Davao Region, with nearly 6 million inhabitants, remains the 7th most populous region in the country......»»
53% drop in Davao City’s road accidents: DCPO-TEU
The Davao City Police Office-Traffic Enforcement Unit (DCPO-TEU) has reported a significant 53% decrease in road accidents during the first 16 days of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Deputy Chief Pcpt. Raymundo B. Bacera Jr. revealed these statistics during the ISpeak media forum, citing 213 recorded incidents in 2023, compared to only 102 in 2024. He noted a reduction in the number of vehicles involved, from 120 to 51. Human error was identified as the primary cause of accidents, accounting for 97% of cases, while vehicle defects and road defects contributed to 2% and 1% of incidents, respectively. Private vehicles were involved in 40% of the accidents, with common human errors including texting/calling while driving, overtaking, and speeding. The peak hours for accidents were identified as between 2 pm to 4 pm. Despite the implementation of the New Speed Limit Ordinance, which came into effect on January 11, 2024, Dionisio Abude, head of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), emphasized that the ordinance cannot guarantee the absence of road incidents, highlighting the critical role of driver behavior and driving habits. Since the ordinance's enforcement, CTTMO and DCPO-TEU have issued citations to 730 violators, with private vehicles constituting 49% of the total, followed by motorcycles, taxis, trucks, public utility jeepneys, buses, and public utility vans......»»
Philippines FDI net inflows grow by 27.8 pct in November
MANILA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines grew year-on-year by 27.8 percent in November 2023 to reach 1 billion U.S. dollars, the country's central bank said Monday. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the November figure brought the country's FDI net inflows from January to November 2023 to 7.6 billion dollars, 13.3 percent lower than the 11 months in 20.....»»
Philippines FDI net inflows grow by 27.8 pct in November
MANILA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines grew year-on-year by 27.8 percent in November 2023 to reach 1 billion U.S. dollars, the country's central bank said Monday. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the November figure brought the country's FDI net inflows from January to November 2023 to 7.6 billion dollars, 13.3 percent lower than the 11 months in 20.....»»
Jobless Filipinos balloon to 2.15 million in January 2024
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the number of unemployed persons ages 15 and above climbed to 2.15 million in January 2024, down from 1.6 million in December 2023. .....»»
PH Inflation Sees Huge Dip in January 2024 Now at 2.8%
The country’s headline inflation has taken a significant dip, currently standing at 2.8%, according to the latest report from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) released on February 6, 2024. According to PSA, this marks the lowest rate recorded since October 2020, showing a considerable drop from December 2023’s 3.9 percent and a noteworthy decrease from […].....»»