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Fire Prevention Month: 77 fire incidents highlight need for community-level fire brigade

THE ILOILO City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded 77 fire incidents with one fatality in March, observed as Fire Prevention Month in the country. “We recorded 77 fire calls for the month of March. Out of which, 24 were grassfire, 22 were structural, 21 electrical pole fire, eight rubbish fire, and two vehicular fires,” BFP Senior Fire Officer Aquilino B. Sampiano said, noting that the total is more than double the 34 incidents recorded in March 2018. Mr. Sampiano also said that most of the incidents were in congested communities, or those with small alleys, which highlights the need for barangay-level fire brigades. “I would like to recommend barangays to organize fire brigades so that in the meantime during the fire, they will serve as frontliners and respond immediately,” he said. The BFP, he added, is ready to provide training. “We are willing to train tanods (barangay guards) or any volunteers from their barangays. They can form fire brigades with 15 minimum members,” he said. Meanwhile, Mayor Jose S. Espinosa III said last Monday that they are looking into stricter parking policies to ensure access for fire trucks during emergencies. “We plan to identify the most hazardous barangays. Then we will see to it that no vehicle will park on the alleys especially,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Makeover of Cagayan de Oro’s Plaza Divisoria amphitheater breaks ground April 4

THE PLAZA Divisoria Amphitheater in Cagayan de Oro, popularly referred to as Amphi and was the center of entertainment up until the 1990s, is getting a makeover through a P76 million rehabilitation project under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In a statement, DPWH-Northern Mindanao (DWPH-10) said the groundbreaking ceremony is set on April 4, but initial work such as temporary fencing and the demolition of existing structures already started last April 1. The project includes the construction of a new amphitheater, multi-level parking building, monument, office, footbridge and ramp structure, site development and utility works. DPWH-10 said the Amphi was “the center of historic, cultural, civic and political events (and) huge crowds used to enjoy events” there, but its attraction “faded” with the development of new entertainment sites in the city.

Davao Oriental taps Bayad Center for tax payments

THE PROVINCIAL government of Davao Oriental has partnered with CIS Bayad Center Inc. for its tax collection, starting with real estate tax payments. In a press statement, the provincial government said the deal, signed March 29, will enhance collection efficiency and boost local revenue generation while providing convenience to taxpayers. Payment for business taxes, fees and charges, and other local fees will soon be included in the payment system. Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang said the local government “is constantly striving to increase our revenues through efficient tax monitoring, collection, and enforcement” while working “to generate more resources to finance our development efforts.” Manuel Lorenzo L. Tuason, Bayad Center president and chief executive officer, said the partnership allows both parties to promote innovations. “I am very much impressed by your progressive way of thinking. You are the premier and pioneer province to deliver core treasury services to your constituents,” Mr. Tuason said. Pascualito V. Lapiña, regional director of the Department of Finance, said the partnership should inspire other local government units to adopt the same or similar mechanisms. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nation at a Glance — (04/04/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (04/04/19)

BTS’ Bangtan Universe and the power of transmedia storytelling

If there’s anything that K-pop is known for, it’s its “concepts”: An industry term used to describe the themes that set a project’s creative direction. This is the driving force behind everything that hooks audiences into K-pop. The bombastic sets and outrageous outfits are as much a part of the experience as the music.

These concepts are sometimes used to tell stories, which some groups have told through their music videos and tie-up materials. Girl group Twice, for instance, hinted at a narrative connection between their “TT” and “Knock Knock” music videos. More often than not, however, these are one-off projects.

But in an industry that thrives on conceptual experimentation, one act has taken the idea of building on an overarching theme to an entirely different level. Global sensation BTS — whose value is worth around $3.6 billion to the South Korean economy — and their agency Big Hit Entertainment have been silently building a universe for years, integrating storytelling across different platforms. And the effort isn’t just elevating marketing to new heights. It’s fostering a more meaningful connection with the fans, too.

“Seven boys. Best friends.”

What do you do when you have a fanbase that gobbles up music videos and merchandise and is still left wanting more? Big Hit Entertainment’s answer: You give them more.

Enter the Bangtan Universe, a meta-narrative spanning various media platforms, designed as a means to engage with fans on every possible level.

The Bangtan Universe, or BU, follows the story of a boy, Seokjin, attempting to save his six friends from tragic fates by repeatedly traveling back in time. While the universe was officially launched in January along with a teaser of its webtoon Save Me, the story had actually been running since 2015 with the music video (MV) for “I Need U”, the title track of the album The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1.

It featured the tight-knit, rebellious friend group of the seven boys (all portrayed by the members), underlined by snippets of each character’s dark backstory.

Through the years, more parts of the narrative were revealed across several channels. At first, it was only through music videos and supplementary videos subtly labeled as official BU content in their YouTube descriptions. But the 2017 release of their album Love Yourself: Her saw booklets called The Notes inserted in physical copies, an inclusion that would continue in the follow-up albums Love Yourself: Tear and Love Yourself: Answer. Each booklet contained entries by each character across different dates, adding to the mystery of how the story’s events unfolded.

In 2019, days after the webtoon reveal, a separate book entitled The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: The Notes 1 was launched. Copies of the book were subsequently released in March.

More than just singularities

Of course, this isn’t the first time a music group’s written a meta-narrative into their work. Throughout the years concept albums have pushed the boundaries on music as a storytelling medium. British virtual band Gorillaz took that to an extreme with the fictional histories of its band members and alternate reality games (ARG) built into its websites.

But this type of multi-platform storytelling in music has often been the realm of side-projects among niche artists, and never to the commercial scale of Big Hit’s Bangtan Universe.

It’s an approach called transmedia storytelling, which hinges on delivering different pieces of a narrative using different media platforms, each one working to complement each other.

“Sometimes, one platform needs the other to make sense, or to enhance the experience,” said Lisa Sioson, executive creative director at McCann WorldGroup Philippines. This is apparent in franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movies in themselves are already based off the comics, but they also have tie-in comics that bridge certain gaps between certain timelines. There are also the various TV series such Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. which may not be directly derived from the movies but tell stories that explain why some things in the movies came to be.

Since the storytelling happens on many different levels, it’s important to note that the narrative doesn’t follow any one path, like more traditional storytelling might. “One of the hypotheses that I’m exploring is the idea that… [you can’t] tell [a transmedia story] linearly,” said Andrew Ty, a film and media studies professor at the Ateneo de Manila University. “That’s why I think it’s best to look at it as almost like the plot elements are networked with each other. So you can start from wherever and just piece these things together.”

A “magic shop” of experiences

And if offloading the work of tying together narrative threads and theorizing larger story arcs sounds like an agency dropping the ball, then you’ve likely never been on the internet. Hardcore fans thrive in these spaces — a reality that Big Hit uses to build an active, engaged fanbase for BTS.

ARMYs, what fans of BTS call themselves, devote countless hours mining materials, dig deep to create their own timelines and theories, taking to Twitter and YouTube to share their dizzyingly granular breakdowns.

By leaving fans room to interpret these stories, Big Hit allows them a sense of ownership over the Bangtan Universe. “The reason you’re doing this is that you’re making the experience more immersive — it allows you to give them delights,” said Greg Martin, executive creative director at Ace Saatchi & Saatchi. “It just makes it a little bit more surprising… makes it stickier as a story.”

K-pop as a whole is already saturated with acts, with dozens of groups debuting annually, and each one with even a modicum of success staging multiple comebacks (an industry term for new album or single releases). BTS has gone further and cemented their place as a global act, with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry hailing the group as 2018’s second best-selling artist in the world. This also means that they’re competing against bigger, more established names who have their respective marketing activities.

In this “attention economy”, whomever is able to monopolize the scarce resource of human attention has a massive advantage over their competitors. In a recent live broadcast with fans, Jin, one of the group’s members, mentioned that they spend about a third of their time thinking of content for ARMYs.

“I think Big Hit has a brilliant mind for being very flexible when it comes to letting the world know about BTS,” said Geisha Serrano, an executive escalations specialist and ARMY. “I like that they cater to a lot of people with different perspectives and personalities because you can see that they try to use different means to reach out to various markets. And it fits with their craft and artistry because they always proved… how genuine they are in making music.”

Overcoming the pied piper

For now, the future of the Bangtan Universe remains in speculation. The final chapter of Save Me will be released on April 25, though the title of the book, The Notes 1, hints at possible future installments. And there’s also the question of whether the universe will bleed into the band’s upcoming album, Map of the Soul: Persona, just as it did with their previous releases.

Instead of the blind loyalty that’s often painted as characteristic of fandoms, it’s an engaged, intellectually-stimulated following that assesses the intent and quality of the content that they’re being given.

BTS fans love the group for the music they create. But Big Hit’s additional efforts towards leveraging that artistry and communicating their story through this transmedia campaign has further fueled the passion of ARMY — a fanbase that pays not only with their wallets, but with their time and attention too.

In that way, Big Hit’s found its own kind of artistry — walking the tightrope of musical craftsmanship and marketability. And it’s a balancing act that fans truly appreciate.

“We don’t buy [BTS paraphernalia] because it is from our favorite group; we buy because it is worth it and of quality,” said Diana Sipalay, a teacher and ARMY. “Whenever BTS releases something, their advocacy is embodied in it, may it be a song, an album, a music video, or merchandise. So with this BU… the money is not going to waste.”

Is your startup tackling social issues with tech? Apply here.

Local tech innovators working towards solving social issues have a new incubator program to help get their ideas off the ground.

Globe Future Makers, a joint project between crowdfunding platform and community The Spark Project and Globe Telecom, is an innovation program aims to build a community of Philippine-based tech firms offering solutions to social problems in the country — addressing any of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Products or services may be in the form of devices, apps, online platforms, hardware, or software, and should be functional and past their pilot stage.

The program’s top five participants will enjoy mentorship, network and market access, and tech support from The Singtel Group, The Spark Project, Globe Telecom, and Kickstart Ventures. The Singtel Group and its partner organizations will also be open to collaborations.

For additional information, applicants may also go to Globe Future Makers’ official website at www.globe.com.ph/future-makers.

Duterte orders review of gov’t contracts

By Arjay L. Balinbin
Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) to review all government contracts with firms and other countries to make sure they do not have “onerous provisions that might be detrimental to… Filipinos,” Malacañang announced on Tuesday, prompting business leaders to say their sector would monitor results of this move.

In his statement on the 36th cabinet meeting held in Malacañan Palace on Monday night, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said: “The Chief Executive… instructed all agencies to check and review all contracts entered into and remove onerous provisions that might be detrimental to the lives of the Filipinos.”

“He reiterated his vow to protect the people of the Republic of the Philippines.”

In a separate statement on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said: “The priority contracts for review include concession agreements on public utilities and foreign loan contracts.”

“The target provisions are those perceived to be onerous, one-sided, disadvantageous to the government, and/or contrary to public order or public policy,” Mr. Guevarra explained.

“As these are contracts, the first course of action should be to jointly review and renegotiate; if this is unsuccessful, legal action for rescission may be resorted to,” he added.

“ We have organized teams to conduct this review. But my office as attorney general will need a lot of help from the Office of the Solicitor General to perform and complete this task at the soonest possible time.”

Sanctity of contracts has long been a key concern among investors. The World Bank Group’s Doing Business report shows the Philippines slipping 11 notches to 124th place out of 190 economies in the 2019 edition from 113rd in 2018, with its rank in “enforcing contracts” slipping to 151st from 149th. The other indicators for measuring economies’ competitiveness are: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, resolving insolvency and labor market regulation.

BUSINESS WATCHING
Sought for comment, officials of two major foreign business chambers said the government step bears watching.

“Any party to a contract can review the terms, and contracts have provisions for settling disagreements,” John D. Forbes, senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc., said in a mobile phone message.

“But we remember when PGMA (President Gloria M. Arroyo, now House Speaker) reviewed the PIATCo (Philippine International Air Terminals Co.) contract and found it ‘onerous’ then cancelled it,” he recalled.

“The foreign investors and contractors [concerned] waited over 10 years and the payment went all the way to the Supreme Court where the government lost its case and paid a large amount of interest,” he added.

“We will be very interested in the conclusions of this review and hope they will not discourage private sector investment needed in infrastructure projects, as that could delay ‘Build, Build, Buld.’”

For Nabil Francis, president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, “While we understand the intentions that may be behind this directive, we hope the Philippine government can continue to uphold the sanctity of contracts.”

“It may be too early to tell how such a directive will affect investor sentiment, but we will continue to monitor the situation, as we will need to observe how it will be implemented.”

Also sought for comment, George T. Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in mobile phone message: “I don’t think this will deter investors because this would let them know contracts should not be tainted with corruption.”

“What’s important, the government agencies tasked be clear on rule of law and [be] fair in their review.”

In an e-mail, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Philippines, Inc. President Rex Daryanani said: “We welcome this directive of the President as it his sworn duty to ensure that our country is never at a disadvantage when it comes to any government contract.”

“Contracting parties who have entered into contracts in good faith will welcome this move as it will only prove their credibility and put everyone’s mind at rest as to the nature of these contracts.”

In an interview, Mr. Panelo said after Tuesday’s press conference that the review should not have any impact on the confidence of investors who want to do business in the country. “Hindi nga eh, it will even to be their advantage kasi they will know how exactly to deal with this government, di ba?”

Senate eyes approval of Public Services Act amendments before 17th Congress ends in June

THE BILL amending the 82-year-old Public Services Act (PSA) to lift foreign ownership limits especially in the telecommunications and transport sectors may still make it out of the legislative mill before the 17th Congress ends in June, according to Senate leaders interviewed on Tuesday.

Senate Bill No. 1754, sponsored by Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares, now awaits second-reading approval in the chamber after its counterpart measure, House Bill No. 5828, bagged third-reading approval in September 2017.

Asked if the measure can still be passed on third and final reading, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III replied in a mobile phone message: “Best effort ‘yun.”

Mr. Sotto on March 21 told reporters the proposed amendment of Commonwealth Act No. 146 is among the Senate’s priority measures when lawmakers of the current Congress return to work for the last time on May 20-June 7.

Any measure that fails to make it out of Congress by the end of that period will have to start the legislative process in the 18th Congress.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs, confirmed in a separate phone message on Tuesday that “we will take up that bill” in those remaining session days.

Ms. Poe, chair of the Committee on Public Services, noted that the bill’s “interpellation already began before session adjourned” for the Feb. 9-May 19 break.

Ms. Poe said plenary debates on the bill are expected to focus on possible national security risks from the entry of foreign telecommunication service providers. Concerns have been raised about the entry particularly of telcos from China, with which the Philippines has a simmering territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

“Increasing FDI (foreign direct investments) and promoting national security are not conflicting goals. The country can have both as long as proper safeguards are observed,” she said in a text message.

“We will offer an amendment that gives the President and the National Security Council powers to review, suspend or prohibit an FDI transaction that threatens to impair national security.”

The central bank reported on March 11 that FDI net inflows dropped 4.4% to $9.802 billion in 2018 from $10.256 billion in 2017.

Overall, Ms. Poe said, “Foreign competition can give consumers more genuine alternatives to existing services.”

“Local companies have been operating for some time, so we expect them to be able to improve their quality of service and survive market forces,” she added.

Both House and Senate bills proposed to provide a clearer definition of “public services,” which had been used interchangeably with “public utility.”

The measure will narrow down “public utilities” to the transmission and distribution of electricity, and waterworks and sewerage pipeline distribution system.

If enacted, the measure will lift foreign equity restrictions particularly on telecommunication and transportation service providers. The 1987 Constitution allows operation of public utilities that are at least 60% Filipino-owned. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Measure reforming realty assessment system inches its way through committee

THE DEPARTMENT of Finance (DoF) told a Senate technical working group on Tuesday that outdated real property market values could cost provinces as much as P7.4 billion and cities up to P23.077 billion in terms of foregone revenues.

“Based on our estimates, kung naga-update regularly ‘yung local government unit sana meron silang additional na P7.4 billion,” DoF Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) Acting Deputy Executive Director Jose Arnold M. Tan said.

He said that such foregone revenues could have funded construction of 551 public markets and 771 kilometers of road, among others. In addition, it was reported an estimated P23.077 billion revenues have also been foregone in 51 metropolitan areas and highly urbanized cities.

Mr. Tan was speaking before the technical working group of the joint Senate panel on Ways and Means and Local Government tackling the reform on real property valuation and assessment.

The proposed reform is embodied in House Bill No. 8453, which was approved on final reading in November last year, and Senate Bill No. 44.

He explained that in the present system, there is no single agency responsible for ensuring that valuations are regularly updated. There are also no sanctions imposed for noncompliance with the Local Government Code (LGC) requirement that these values are updated every three years. Elected local officials serve three-year terms.

“Ang provisions ng LGC ang ginagamit ng mga (are used by) local assessors (to) sa pag-update ng schedule of market values (SMV). Although required ang LGU (local government units) to update their schedule every three years, walang (there is no) sanction (for non-compliance with the law),” Mr. Tan noted.

“The only sanction is they will not be getting that much revenues, they will not be able to provide the necessary services, ‘yun ang consequence sa LGU.”

SB 44, authored by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, mandates the BLGF to develop, adopt and maintain valuation standards and ensure LGU compliance through sanctions.

While it backed the measure, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA) called for a limit on how much LGUs can hike tax rates.

“We fully support this bill. Our concern is centered on the experience of land owners now, that is the amount of taxes that assessors of local governments impose,” CREBA National President Charlie v. Gorayeb told the panel.

“… [L]et’s peg a cap on how much increase…,” he said, describing some LGUs as “loose cannon” in imposing taxes deemed “confiscatory.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan

SMC power unit begins P30-B bond offer

SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. has started offering fixed rate bonds worth up to P30 billion to partially repay loans and other investments.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx) on Tuesday, SMC Global Power said it has received the Certificate of Permit to Offer Securities for Sale from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 29.

The power arm of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is offering P25 billion worth of fixed rate bonds, with an oversubscription option of up to P5 billion.

The issuance consists of three-year Series H bonds amounting to P10.246 billion due on 2022 at a coupon rate of 6.8350% per annum; five-year Series I bonds amounting to P8.476 billion due on 2022 at 7.1783% per annum; and seven-year Series J bonds amounting to P6.276 billion due on 2026 at 7.6% per annum.

Should the oversubscription option be fully utilized, the company could net P29.617 billion from the issuance.

Proceeds of the offer will go to the partial refinancing of existing loans and the re-denomination of US dollar denominated obligations worth a total of P14.31 billion. The company will also invest P15.31 billion for power-related assets.

The offer period will run until April 12. SMC Global Power plans to issue the bonds by April 24, after which it will be listed on the PDEx.

The company named BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp., Chinabank Capital Corp., PNB Capital and Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp., and SB Capital Investment Corp. as the joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters, and bookrunners for the offering.

The bonds represent the first tranche of SMC Global Power’s P60-billion shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company also has P50 billion worth of outstanding bonds in the fixed income exchange.

Local debt watcher Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings) had earlier assigned SMC Global Power a PRS Aaa rating, indicating that the bonds are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk. This also means that the company has an “extremely strong” capacity to meet its financial obligations.

The rating also carries a stable outlook, which means that it is unlikely to change in the next 12 months.

SMC Global Power’s operating income grew 37% to P33.17 billion in 2018, following a 45% jump in consolidated revenues to P120.10 billion during the period. The company noted that volume rose by 39% during the period, thanks to additional power generated from its Limay, Malita and Masinloc plants, alongside better contributions from the Ilijan and San Roque power plants.

Shares in SMC firmed up 0.86% or P1.50 to close at P175 each at the stock exchange on Tuesday. — Arra B. Francia

Shakey’s gobbles up Peri-Peri

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter

SHAKEY’S PIZZA Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI) has acquired the chain of Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken restaurants in the country, as part of its strategy to expand its reach in the fast casual chain restaurant business.

The listed firm said in a statement Tuesday that it has signed an asset purchase agreement with Peri to acquire its assets and intellectual property, including the brand, trade name, and the proprietary recipes used to make its trademark peri-peri chicken.

With the agreement, SPAVI will now own and operate Peri’s network of 23 stores, about 60% of which are franchised while 40% are company-owned.

The two companies hope to close the deal by mid-2019, depending on the fulfillment of certain conditions.

Peri is part of businessman Bryan Tiu’s iFoods Group, Inc., the firm behind several homegrown brands such as Tokyo Cafe, Stackers Burger Cafe, and Parmigiano. Mr. Tiu also founded Teriyaki Boy, which was later acquired by Max’s Group, Inc. Aside from homegrown brands, the company also franchises Domino’s Pizza and Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, among others.

Peri’s name is inspired by an African bird’s eye chili called piri-piri used in cooking the company’s signature charcoal-grilled chicken that is served with a variety of sauces.

“The brand now has a strong following and recently gained even more traction — evident in its strong same-store sales growth last year amidst the more challenging macro environment, and the amount of interest in new stores from potential lessors and franchisees,” SPAVI President and Chief Executive Officer Vicente L. Gregorio said in a statement.

Mr. Gregorio added that they plan to improve Peri’s accessibility through proper site selection and the further expansion of its network.

“We are excited by the potential of Peri to scale. We expect it to be an important future growth driver for our fast casual chain restaurant business. Our deep insights into how to best serve the typical fast casual restaurant guest should allow us to further grow the Peri brand,” SPAVI Chariman Christopher T. Po said in a statement.

Peri’s network will be added to SPAVI’s chain of 228 Shakey’s outlets in the country as of end-2018. The company will be adding 20 Shakey’s branches this year, or a target of 248 stores by the end of 2019.

SPAVI also operates three outlets abroad and is working on further expanding overseas, as it has the perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand in the Middle East, Asia excluding Japan and Malaysia, China, Australia, and Oceania. It has at least 20 stores lined up overseas in the next few years.

Shares in SPAVI went up 0.33% or four centavos to close at P12.14 each at the stock exchange on Tuesday.

Cathay Dragon adds two Davao-Hong Kong flights for summer season

DAVAO CITY — Cathay Dragon, the Cathay Pacific Group’s regional airline, is adding two more flights between Davao City and Hong Kong for the summer season to cater to higher demand from holiday travelers.

Camille S. Rosales, Cathay Dragon sales executive for Mindanao, said there will be Thursday and Saturday flights from April 4 to May 4. This is in addition to the four times a week flights launched in October 2018.

The airline has also partnered with the SM Malls’ Shop, Dine, Fly to HongKong promo, with five round-trip tickets to be given away for every SM mall.

“We are happy to collaborate. In fact, most of our travel events partnered with SM,” Ms. Rosales said in an interview last Monday.

The strong passenger traffic has been mainly from balikbayans, overseas Filipino workers, tourists and business travelers. From Hong Kong, there has also been an increasing interest in Davao as a tourism destination.

Tourism stakeholders in Davao Region welcomed the additional flights as a boost to the sector, especially with the holding of the annual Visit Davao Summer Festival (VDSF) from April to June.

VDSF, a private sector-led program in coordination with the local government units, includes events and activities on sports and adventure, culture and arts, food, health and wellness, and shopping.

“This is good news for us as it means that more people in Hong Kong are now aware of Davao as a destination. Our summer activities, whether city or private sector-led, will enhance their visit,” said Generose D. Tecson, officer-in-charge of the Davao City Tourism Operations Office.

In Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Municipal Tourism Officer Julius R. Paner said there is a good market in Hong Kong for adventure tourism, which the town offers.

Mr. Paner cited that the owner of Hong Kong-based Asia Trail Master (ATM) is in constant communication with them for mountain races not only in Davao del Sur but the entire region.

Mr. Paner said ATM is looking at organizing mountain races around Mindanao, starting with Mt. Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental as sites for the trail master series.

“This summer, the Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical Race is an ATM-accredited event. It’s unfortunate though that Mt. Apo is closed for now (to avoid forest fires due to El Niño) but I’m sure its not for long,” he said. — Maya M. Padillo

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