Tagum City is Palarong Pambansa 2015 venue

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After careful deliberation, officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) have selected Tagum City, Davao del Norte to host the 2015 Palarong Pambansa. 

The city beat out five other bidders – Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Koronadal City, Lanao del Norte province, and CARAGA region.

Before announcing the results of the vote, Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC asked for the support of the cities that were not selected. 

“This is a vote for Mindanao. This year we were surprised at the number of bidders. We hope that we still have your support.”

When asked what he expected from the host Luistro replied, “The only thing we need to expect is for Tagum to deliver.” He added, “Ang maganda sa Tagum ay mukhang handa na ang lahat. Hindi na kailangan pa ng dagdag na buwang preparasyon.”

The Palarong Pambansa is held in May with hosting duties rotating yearly among the island groups.

Competitive bidding

Months before the official presentation, DepEd and Philippine Sports Commission officials inspected each venue to see if the facilities and billeting areas are adequate. PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez reported to the body the rating system that they used, which included international standards, distance from the main complex, power supply, and security, among others. DepEd’s Schools Sports Events and Activities Unit Head Cesar Abalon reported on the status of the billeting areas, which are evaluated based on the adequacy of rooms, bathrooms, kitchen areas and medical provisions.

Based on the criteria, Tagum City garnered the highest points. According to Gomez, the local government had already upgraded its facilities, which were used to host PSC’s Batang Pinoy competitions in 2013.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Ricardo Garcia congratulated all the bidders. “I am impressed with the way everyone conducted themselves. The PSC will definitely consider one of you to host Batang Pinoy and our other events in 2015.”

Palarong Pambansa Law

Palarong Pambansa 2015 will be the first national games to be held under the Palarong Pambansa Law (RA 10588) signed May 27, 2014, which mandates the creation of a Palarong Pambansa Board as the lead policy-making and coordinating body for the preparation and conduct of the games. The Board shall be composed of the DepEd Secretary as Chairperson, a DepEd Undersecretary, two (2) DepEd Assistant Secretaries, the Chairman of the PSC, the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Lenovo opens its 3rd Lenovo Mobile Exclusive Store in Davao

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One of the fastest growing smartphone manufacturers globally, Lenovo opens its third Lenovo Mobile Exclusive Store (LMES) in Davao City.

The newly opened store, which is the third LMES in Davao City alone, is operated by Banana Telecommunications Inc., located at the 3rd floor, Gaisano Mall, Tagum, Davao. The first concept store opened in October last year in Gaisano Mall, Davao and the second store opened middle of this year in Abreeza Mall, Davao.

"Davao continues to be Mindanao's top economy, with a sustained growth in its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) since 2012. We are proud that Lenovo has been one of the first brands to tap this robust market, in lieu with our strong commitment to providing Filipinos powerful smartphones as we strengthen Lenovo's presence in the Mindanao Region," Michael Ngan, Country General Manager of Lenovo Philippines, recognizes the increasing demand for smartphones all over the country since 2011. 

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) confirms that Davao has landed the fourth in the country in terms of the Philippines' gross domestic product, having 3.5% share. It remains to be one of the richest cities in the Philippines outside of Metro Cebu and Metro Manila. Named by the Foreign Direct Magazine as the 10th "Asian City of the Future," Davao City has been the center of trade, businesses and economic activities in the region, with a lot of investments continuously pouring in.

The demand for affordable smartphones has been increasing because of mobile data and social networking. Based on a report by Tigercub Digital, Internet access grew by over 500% since 2008. Smartphone penetration is expected to hit at 50% next year due to the availability of the Internet according OnDemand Research.

Lenovo Mobile Country Head, Dino Romano said, "The Philippines is an important market for Lenovo because we have seen a significant and steady increase in local smartphone shipments. Through the continuous expansion of our LMES in the country, we are reaching out to Philippine consumers, especially the younger segment of the population, whose lifestyle demands for high-performing and reliable mobile devices.”

The concept store houses a wide range of Lenovo smartphones to address the needs of the region. The Lenovo Vibe Series is currently the brand's top-of-the-line products for executives doing business in Davao. The Lenovo DOIt applications namely SYNCit, SHAREit, SECUREit, SNAPit and SEEit are the perfect complement to Lenovo smartphones that allow users to perform several tasks efficiently and easily.

Meanwhile, the Lenovo A Series are a wide range of products powered by dual and quad core processors running on Android Jellybean 2.0 for the budget-conscious consumers who would like to own a smartphone or for the youth, who wants to be connected 24/7.

For the latest Lenovo smartphones and tablets news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo Mobile on Twitter(http://www.twitter.com/LenovoMobilePH) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/lenovomobileph).

"Meaningful change makes a nation" -- Cong. Karlo Nograles:

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First District of Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles pushes for the passage of Philippine Green Jobs Act to create green jobs that will help curb the ill-effects of climate change.

The Representative from District 1 of Davao City,  Congressman Karlo Nograles has always known in his heart the renewing possibility of change. He believes that every individual has the resources within himself to change the course of his life. 

Nograles understands that the greatest and most significant societal changes begin with small, simple steps.



What is more life-changing than education? In his first term as a congressman, Karlo trained his eyes on education, particularly on the post-secondary level. 

“I just felt that government wasn’t paying enough attention to kids after high school,” says Nograles.


Through Oplan Kaalam (Oplan K), Karlo supports the full tuition and fees of thousand of students in state-owned University of Southern Philippines, University of the Philippines-Mindanao and other public and private colleges and universities across Davao City.



In addition, the program has also handed out thousands of technical-vocational scholarships to poor students in the barrios. “The youth become more empowered with higher education,” Karlo, who finished his law degree at the Ateneo de Manila University, says. “They are sustained with the means to provide a brighter future for themselves and their families.”


But for Karlo, it is not enough that the youth are educated and have their families secured: they also have to play a role in community transformation. In order to stress the importance of the youth and their involvement in community service, Karlo has led some 5,000 scholars in various community programs such as tree planting, coastal clean-ups, recycling, reading and literature programs, and school feeding drives, among others. 

Congressman Karlo Nograles is a typical protective and loving husband and father to his wife Marga and his three children, Mateo, Massimo and Nikka

“Every person has the capacity to serve the community, and the only way we can change the world for the better is to help others and always pay it forward,” an admirable life philosophy he continues to advocate from his training in the Ateneo and the Jaycee movement.

Now serving on his second term, Karlo is motivated to cultivate the seeds planted by education, volunteerism, and civic-mindedness to further fruition. Karlo is now committed to creating sustainable community-based livelihood programs and employment opportunities, in line with his current position as Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Employment at the House of Representatives.



Representative of First Congressional

 District of Davao City Karlo Nograles

Under the supervision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Karlo has been bringing job fairs to the 54 barangays under his jurisdiction, right to where the people are. “Since many of the poor and unemployed have no means to go around and look for work, then we must bring all these job vacancies down to the impoverished communities, and together with potential employers do the job interviews then and there,” Karlo says. 

“Never underestimate the power of a job; it allows people to provide for their needs and enjoy the honor and dignity of hard work and self-reliance.”



The concurrent vice-chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights and Committee on Revision of Laws also brings to the barangays various community-based skills training projects, such as basic welding, plumbing, beauty care, and commercial cooking. “These are skills that are easily learned and are easily employable, and such trainings should therefore not be confined to schools and classrooms but must be accessible by the poor who need them most.”


For his exceptional vision and leadership, Karlo was hailed as Outstanding Congressman by SuperBrands Marketing International in 2012. The following year, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also conferred to him the Regional Kabalikat Award for 2013.


Cong. Karlo Nograles of first district of Davao City passes House Bill No. 4969 that promotes climate-smart industries and services .

Now, Karlo has set his eyes on sustainable development. He recently filed a bill in Congress seeking to generate eco-friendly jobs that will help reduce environmental risks posed by business enterprises with the help of green technology. His Green Jobs Act aims to not just preserve the environment, but to ensure that we are able to sustain a better way of life and at the same time protect our planet for future generations. 

For Karlo, change in the individual means change in the community and ultimately, the country.

Lawmaker seeks to generate more ‘green jobs’ in the Philippines

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From Davao City, Congressman Karlo Nograles seeks to generate more ‘green jobs’ in new bill, which will be known as the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2014.

As a complement to the Climate Change Act, Congressman Karlo Nograles of Davao City has filed a new bill that aims to create and establish more environment-friendly industries and services to reduce the adverse effects of climate change in the country.

Congressman Karlo Nograles of Davao City

Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2014, is poised to create employment opportunities that will be less harmful to the environment by using green technology, or innovations that conserve natural resources.

“With the adverse effects of climate change being felt around the world and its increasing threat to lives and properties, nations have found it imperative to facilitate and guide the process of making industries less harmful to the environment,” Nograles said.

Promoting climate-smart industries and services is a part of the National Climate Change Action Plan, as mandated by the Climate Change Act.

Green jobs are employment opportunities that produce goods and services that benefit and preserve the environment. These particularly involve business enterprises that use fewer natural resources in their production processes.

Sharing the vision of the Climate Change Act, Nogralesalso recognizes the integral role of labor in minimizing the impact of disasters brought by climate change, and maximizing the potential benefits of climate change as well.

More than highlighting labor as an essential economic force needed in sustainable development, the Nograles bill seeks to promote the right of individuals to a safe and clean ecology. To carry this out, Nograles said the government shall identify needed skills and develop programs for research and the training of workers.

“The bill requires the government to strengthen the capacity of workers and businesses to prevent, manage, mitigate and adapt to, the adverse impact of climate change and disasters and continue to create, sustain or expand opportunities for employment, by improving ourbusiness climate and working conditions,” he said.

To recognize efforts, fiscal incentives will be granted to individuals and enterprises who participate in the creation of green jobs, use green technologies, and produce green goods and services. This is also to encourage others to engage in the same practices.

The bill entitles participants to special deductions from gross income amounting to 200 percent of the total grants over and above the allowable ordinary and necessary business deductions under the National Internal Revenue Code. Incentives shall be administered by the Department of Finance.

The Climate Change Commission is tasked to formulate standards for the certification of green technologies, good and services that will be used in the granting of the said incentives.

As a long-term goal, Nograles also seeks to utilize the bill as a stepping stone towards a green economy—one that is “low-carbon” and “resource-efficient,” contributes to the well-being of constituents, and reduces environmental risks.

“As countries all over the world collectively move toward a more sustainable economy, public policy must center on developing a green jobs agenda, enhancing workers skills, and ensuring a just transition to a green economy,” Nograles said.

As the overall in charge of generating green jobs, the Department of Labor and Employment is tasked under the bill to create a national green jobs human resource development plan, which will sustain the transition into a green economy.

“It shall include programs, projects, and activities pertaining to basic, higher and technical vocational education and training, a database that identifies and links green job opportunities with private and public entities, and information on knowledge and skill requirements of a green economy,” Nograles said.

The bill also seeks to delegate the Secretary of Labor and Employment as an additional member of the Climate Change Commission, as well as mandates the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to design and implement the appropriate curriculum in support of the green economy.

Thousands of Youth Gather for Habitat Youth Build 2014 “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”

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This year’s Youth Build is expected to be one of the biggest youth gatherings in the country. Over 5,000 youth will converge at Habitat Youth Build 2014 “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”

“Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!” as this year’s Habitat for Humanity “Youth Build”, happening simultaneously on May 3, 2014 in five key provinces in the country, to make a commitment to help rebuild homes across calamity-stricken areas in the Philippines. 

Beginning May 3, young volunteers will sweat it out as they get their gloves, hard hats, and shovels ready to begin the construction of Habitat houses in earthquake-hit areas in Bohol, and Yolanda-affected communities in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Naga. After Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) destroyed parts of the country in November last year, Habitat launched its “Re-Build PH” campaign with a target to rebuild 30,000 houses. This year’s Youth Build aims to rally the youth to do their share to meet this target.

“Rebuilding the Philippines is everyone’s responsibility. This time, we want to gather our youth and tap into their passion and energy to help get the job done while at the same time serving as role models to the younger generation,” shares Charlie Ayco, Habitat for Humanity Philippine’s CEO and Managing Director.

“Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!”

Since the build-sites are mostly around the Visayas region, this year’s theme was taken from the local Visayan dialect-- “Tagbo. Tukod. Tana!” (Let’s gather. Let’s build. Let’s do it.) It hopes to speak more urgently to the Visayan youth to rise to the challenge of helping their own neighbors, friends, and kababayans rebuild their own communities by taking part in the Youth Build.

“For us to be able to truly move forward from the horrors of the earthquake and typhoon, we need to work hand-in-hand as one community-- the progress of one is the progress of all. We encourage the Boholanos to help their kababayans, because by doing so they are helping the entire province,” Ayco adds.

Rebuilding 7,000 houses in Bohol

In October last year, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocked parts of Bohol leaving houses in shambles and families homeless. The Youth Build targets to rebuild 7,000 homes in 16 municipalities across the province providing decent shelter to families still living in tents and make-shift houses.

To kick-off festivities in Bohol on May 3, a motorcade of celebrity youth supporters will take place in the morning leading all the way to the Habitat site in Loon, Bohol where Habitat’s Youth Council will begin the initial build. To cap the day, a youth concert open to the public will be staged to further urge the Boholano youth to respond to the call.

Other local festivities to kick-off the “Youth Build” will also happen in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Naga.

The Habitat Youth Build is a movement that engages young people to raise funds for, and awareness of the poverty housing situation in the Asia-Pacific region where one in eight people live in slums, according to the United Nations.

Now on its third year, the annual campaign challenges the youth to do something concrete to help. Young people from 11 other Habitat countries across the region will also participate and build or repair homes for low-income families. 

Habitat for Humanity Philippines is a global non-profit organization committed to addressing the housing backlog in the country.

To know more about Habitat and its programs, log on to www.habitat.org.ph.

DOT Region 11 Launches The Big Davao FUN Sale

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The Department of Tourism - Davao Regional Office (DOT-XI) launches The Big Davao Fun Sale, bringing together seven of Davao City’s biggest shopping centers in what is touted as the country’s first citywide shopping festival scheduled on 14 March – 16 April 2014.

The four-week long sale will offer best-value deals with as much as 80% discount on the widest range of products: from dining, local crafts, fruits, and flowers (14 March - 16 April); health and beauty (16-13 March); electronics and gadgets (24-30 March); home and travel (31 March - 6 April); to fashion and active lifestyle (7-16 April).

]The Big Davao Fun Sale will also feature a food festival organized by the Restaurants Association of Davao Inc. where all its 100 restaurant brand members ranging from home-grown and independent restaurants to franchised businesses are expected to join. Shoppers will also have a chance to win raffle prizes such as iPhone 5 units, all-expense paid trip, and cash prizes worth up to P100,000.

“It did not take long for all seven malls to join forces and partner with the DOT in positioning Davao City as a shopping destination in the country. When the country’s largest malls started opening up in the city over the last two years, competition became steep that Dabaweños, close to two million of them, may not suffice to sustain the malls’ viability.This reality in Davao’s retail industry of late caught the attention of all these mall executives to formally organize the Retail Association of Davao and partner with us in conceptualizing The Big Davao Fun Saleto attract foreign tourists and shoppers outside of Davao,” according to DOT Assistant Secretary Arturo P. Boncato, Jr.

The Big Davao Fun Sale, coinciding with the Araw ng Dabaw (Foundation Day of Davao) in March, is projected to increase arrivals to the city by 15% from the 100,000 visitors recorded in March to April last year.

Davao City’s famous all-black Mabuhay Taxi, which carried the tourism campaign for the region in 2012, has once again partnered with the DOT – Davao Region in promoting the shopping festival by dressing up its fleet of 150 units. The Abreeza Mall, NCCC Mall of Davao, SM Lanang Premier, SM City Davao, Gaisano Mall of Davao, GMall of Toril, and Robinsons are all gearing up with their unique offers and promotions for a total shopping experience.

Cebu Pacific Air also partnered with the Retail Association of Davao for the Big Davao Fun Sale giving a huge number of seat sales from all Cebu Pacific points to Davao, now including Bacolod twice a week, for the travel period from March to April 2014. Silk Air, on the other hand, is the global partner for the shopping festival.

“Shopping, or retail tourism, is one of the country’s tourism products being promoted by the DOT aggressively. With the increasing global attention given to the Philippines now as a tourist destination, we can anticipate more tourists to visit our country for their shopping holiday. The Big Davao Fun Sale in March is precisely the perfect time to experience four weeks of shopping spree and enjoy great premium deals that all seven malls in the City of Davao will offer. What makes it more fun is that it coincides with the Araw ng Dabaw celebration, which highlights the culture, ingenuity, and warmth of the Dabaweños. It’s going to be a thrilling experience. So, get ready to shop ‘til you drop,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. said.

For more details of the Big Davao Fun Sale, please visit www.facebook.com/TheBigDavaoFunSale, email the organizers at dotr11@gmail.com / organiczar@gmail.com, or contact Joyce at 0928-9718988 / 0933-6030003 / 221 0070.

Back to Back with the best of pop rock music !

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Here's one of the best of pop rock music! Stephen Bishop, Michael Johnson, Joe Puerta of Ambrosia, Side A, and the classical-pop tenor trio The Angelos, will be performing together in a once in a lifetime show on Friday, October 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Titled Back 2 Back 2 Back, the concert is a production of Viva Live Inc. and Redstone Media Production.

Don’t fail to watch Stephen Bishop, Michael Johnson, Joe Puerta and Side A perform their hits live at the Big Dome in Back 2 Back 2 Back on October 18, 2013.

Tickets are now available at Ticketnet 911-5555 and Viva Concerts 687-7236. Ticket prices are Patron A P3500; Patron B P3000; Lower Box P3000; Upper Box A P1750; Upper Box B P750; and General Admission P400.

Stephen Bishop, Johnson, Puerta and Side A will also be at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City on October 26. Bishop will have a solo performance at the Lagao Gym in General Santos on October 27, 2013.

This Viva Live and Redstone Media Production is supported by major sponsor Phoenix Petroleum; with Midas Hotel as the Official Residence; media partners PBO; Viva Channel; History Channel; ETC; 2nd Avenue; MYX; The Philippine Star; The Manila Bulletin; People's Journal; People's Tonight; Mellow 94.7; Barangay LS 97.1; RJ 100; 96.3 Easy Rock; Rappler.com; Clickthecity.com; Pep.ph; Wheninmanila.com; Manila Concert Scene, Philippine Concerts, and Gala Magazine. Special thanks to the Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP); Maria’s Catering of Victoria Court; Rub Ribs & Bbq; Yoshinoya; Aquabest; and Fernando’s Bakeshop.

ABS-CBN stages simultaneous 5-city "ONE RUN, ONE PHILIPPINES"

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Pinoys in five cities can run to save five environment projects including Pasig River rehabilitation

Thousands of participants are expected to take part in the “One Run, One Philippines,” the five-city simultaneous advocacy run of ABS-CBN in the Philippines and the United States this October 6 as part of ABS-CBN’s 60th anniversary celebration.

In cooperation of ABS-CBN Foundation’s Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), Regional Network Group (RNG) and The Filipino Channel (TFC), the “One Run, One Philippines” will invade Quezon City, Cebu City, Bacolod City, Davao City, and Los Angeles (USA) to clamor for the protection of various environmental advocacies.

"Participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles as disposable cups will not be provided at water stations positioned along the roads to promote environmental awareness and minimize waste production," said ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez at the press conference held at the Torre Venezia Suites, the official hotel partner of the event.

The Quezon City leg or the fifth “Run for the Pasig River” will be held at Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) with 6:00 AM gunstart for both 3K and 5K categories. Starting line is located at the Technohub overpass. Participants will go straight along Commonwealth Avenue then head to QMC for the finish line.

As part of its preparation, lanes that will be used for the race will be closed at 2 AM on the event day, while the two outermost lanes on both sides of Commonwealth Avenue will remain open. The motorists are advised to take alternate routes if possible as heavy traffic is expected.

Parking zones located at Philcoa, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Sugar Regulatory Commission, Trinoma, Wildlife, Quezon City Hall, National House Authority, and side streets of University Avenue, Visayas Avenue, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, East Avenue and Kalayaan Avenue have been reserved for participants with vehicles.

Meanwhile, the three provincial legs will all start at 4:30 AM with its 21K category followed by the 5K and 10 K at 5:30 AM. Starting line of Cebu leg is at SM City Cebu, Davao leg is at the Abreeza Mall, while the Bacolod leg is at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon.

The Los Angeles leg, on the other hand, will begin at 7:30 AM with its 1K Kiddie Run, 5K and 10K categories at Burbank, California.

The Cebu leg will benefit coastal conservation in Daan Paz; the Davao leg will support the ecotourism projects in Marilog Tourist Center; the Bacolod leg will help the mangrove and livelihood projects in Punta Taytay, Sum-ag River rehabilitation, and ecotourism projects in Bacolod City Water District Campuestuhan Watershed; while the Los Angeles leg will fund the Green Initiative of Bantay Kalikasan.

Kapamilya stars Anne Curtis, Kim Atienza, Kim Chiu, Karylle and model-blogger Erwann Heusaff will lead the “Run for the Pasig River” in Quezon City that will again raise funds for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River and its tributaries.

Paulo Avelino, Jayson Abalos (Cebu leg); Maja Salvador, Aaron Villaflor, Bryan Termulo (Davao City); Joem Bascon, Paul Jake Castillo, Bangs Garcia; and Jake Cuenca (Los Angeles), will represent the four other legs of "One Run, One Philippines," which will also benefit various environmental projects.

The KBPIP has organized four successful runs for the Pasig River and had raised P25.94 million. In 2009, the fun run funded the initial phase of Estero de Paco’s clean-up, while the historic “10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River” funded the second phase and even broke the Guinness World Record for the “most number of participants in a running event” with 116,086 runners.

The 2011 and 2012 runs for the Pasig River are currently aiding the rehabilitation of 16 esteros in Quezon City and Manila including the Estero de San Miguel and four others behind the Malacañan Palace.

Registration for the fifth “Run for the Pasig River” is ongoing at Run for the Pasig River booths in  the following : 

SM Mall of Asia

SM North EDSA

SM Megamall

Chris Sports outlets in:

Glorietta

Festival Mall

SM North EDSA Annex

SM Manila

SM Fairview

SM Megamall

and Fitness & Athletics BGC.

For the Cebu, Davao and Bacolod legs, sign-up at ABS-CBN Cebu; 

ABS-CBN Davao

Abreeza Mall or Holiday Gym and Spa;

and ABS-CBN Bacolod.

Online registration for the Los Angeles leg is open at https://racewire.com/register.php?id=3348. 

Log on to www.onerunonephilippines.com for other updates. Limited edition “One Run, One Philippines” official race gear distributed by ABS-CBN Licensing are also available in the booths.

AQUABEST to Join MINBIZCON: Water firm gears up for Mindanao expansion

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Water franchising leader GQWEST announced plans to expand its Aquabest franchise to more areas in Mindanao as it joins the Mindanao Business Conference (MINBIZCON).

MINBIZCON now in its 22nd year is the largest gathering of businesses in Mindanao and represents a huge opportunity for the company to expand in the region. Expanding its presence in Mindanao has been a priority for the company as it seeks to capitalize on the increased development in the area.

The company’s head, Carson Tan says “The growth of urbanization and the economy in Mindanao has opened up a large opportunity for us as we seek to further enlarge our nationwide presence. At the same time, expanding in the region will allow the company to fulfill its mission to offer safe drinking water to people in areas where potable water remains problematic.”

The company says it intends to pursue growth opportunities in Mindanao particularly in Davao. The company says hat Mindanao has a rapidly urbanizing population which is critical to support the business. The areas also represent an opportunity to expand from the congested Luzon markets where the company’s stores are mostly located.

To help prospective franchisees take out a franchise the company inked partnerships with banks like BPI that would facilitate loan applications to possible franchisees. The company also offers in house financing to prospective franchisees.

The MINBIZCON would run from August 8-10 at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier Davao City.