INDEED, the proposal to exempt delivery riders from the government’s plan to have them acquire a business permit to continue doing their trade is well in order. They are not operating or running a business. They are simply running errands for business establishments that are marketing their products to their clients.
The delivery riders earn their keeps either through commission from the establishments, or tips from generous customers they are delivering the purchased merchandise. Well, some may opine that there may not be an urgency to study the exemption. It is clear as day what the relationship is between the delivery riders and the companies utilizing their services.
Of course, if the government is really so eager to exact money from these riders, perhaps it can devise ways where some kind of graduated fixed tax can be deducted from their commission based on the amount that may be set by the government. It is on this aspect that a thorough study must be done to be fair to the delivery riders.
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What is this circular from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Davao City office reminding barangay officials to allow the use of government facilities in their respective areas for the conduct of public activities?
Why, were there instances when barangay officials, especially the local village chiefs, did not allow programs and public activities to be held in facilities owned by the barangay? We do not know if such a directive has something to do with the experiences of certain candidates during the previous elections.
We recall at least two incidents in certain barangays where the candidate for a particular office requested to use the barangay covered court for a political rally. Unfortunately, the requesting party happened to be on the side not supported by the village chief. So, the request was denied for this and that reason. The candidate and his party ended up hiring an open-top truck which was used as a stage. The rally was held at a road junction instead.
Now that the official campaign period is forthcoming, maybe the DILG City of Davao might have already anticipated this problem. Hence, the early reminder. We can only hope that such a circular is also provided with enough teeth to ensure that it has the bite that can set some reasons for compliance by the barangay officials concerned.
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Well, as expected ACT-CIS Partylist Congressman Erwin Tulfo is leading the pack in a survey of senatorial bets this coming May 2025 midterm elections. Erwin T., who is a well-known media personality, is likely the top choice of those who were surveyed because of his media exposure and the nature of his engagement with the public which is providing assistance in kind of even financial when they are able to engage the broadcaster.
The survey conducted by, unfortunately, a less known Political Economic Research and Strategies (PEERS) during a 3-day period from Oct. 29 to 31, 2024 had as respondents voters from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as the National Capital Region.
The same survey also indicated the occupation in the higher echelon of two former members of the Senate in the person of former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto.
Surprisingly, the name of Ben Tulfo, a brother of Erwin and incumbent Sen. Raffy Tulfo, also came out in the top ten. Still, it is attributed to his media exposure and the manner of his handling of his public affairs program.
Assuming that both Erwin and Ben Tulfo win in the senatorial race, then the Upper Chamber will be dominated by families. And it is common knowledge that there are still the Cayetanos, the Villars. What then will their family dominance make of the so-called august body of supposedly well-meaning lawmakers?
Add to them the actor, both incumbents and aspirants, the television host-comedian, and even the boxer. If all of these breed will make it to the Senate then the more intellectually prepared will surely be outnumbered. How then will highly relevant proposed legislation be effectively debated to have it fine-tuned to what is really its real intention?
God bless the Philippines.
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The other day we were able to personally experience the humongous vehicular traffic at Quezon Blvd., Davao City coming from the Agdao area going to San Pedro. The other side though of the road coming from downtown going north was a little free of the traffic jam. But the vehicle movement on the side leading to San Pedro Street starting as early as 9:30 was so slow that per our estimate it was only about less than half a kilometer per hour. Imagine, from Crossing Quezon Boulevard up to the Artiaga junction, which is a distance of less than a hundred meters, it took us about 40 minutes to negotiate!
And per our inquiry about how long this kind of traffic situation has been prevailing in that particular stretch, we were told that it’s been for a long time already.
Maybe our good friend and idol community relations man of the Police Ret. Col. Dionisio Abude should find time to visit that particular road strip during the hours mentioned. We are positive he can think of a possible solution.
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