BUSINESS AS USUAL. Property Interactive Marketing Enterprise (PRIME Philippines) Business Development Assistant Manager, Jen Namis says that it’s business as usual here in the city despite the prevailing Martial law in Mindanao. Namis said in a press conference at the Habi at Kape on Wednesday, July 5, the local businessmen do not feel the negative impact brought by Martial law, in fact they prefer the ‘added peace and security’ implemented in the city. (Robby Joy D. Salveron/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Representatives from a service company in the country said it’s still “business as usual” for most of the businesses here despite the prevailing imposition of martial rule.
Property Interactive Marketing Enterprise (PRIME Philippines) Business Development Assistant Manager, Jen Namis told reporters in a press conference at the Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall on Wednesday that most local businessmen “do not feel the impact of the martial law.”
“So far it’s really business as usual. The local businessmen we’ve been talking to have definitely mentioned that there is an effect, but the martial law targeted more specifically the tourism industry. Most of the businessmen in Davao who have diverse businesses don’t really feel the bigger impact of the martial law,” Namis said.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao.
The imposition was anchored on the attack staged by IS-linked Maute group in Marawi City last May 23.
From their perspective, Namis said local businesses even prefer the intensified security measures implemented in the city and that they do not really feel a “negative effect” brought by the declaration.
“When it comes to martial law from our perspective it’s just there, but it’s not really affecting local businesses. When we asked the local people, they say they don’t feel the negative effect some even prefer the added security (measures),” Namis said.
However, businessmen outside the city and outside Mindanao remain to be in a “wait and observe” mode.
Senior Leasing Associate Ruth Coyoca of PRIME’s Brokerage Department said that the number of inquiries in terms of lease from the day of declaration until the third week of June reduced.
Coyoca said that from the same period they only receive about five to ten inquiries per day compared to the months of March to May wherein they receive at least 15 to 20 inquiries daily.
Figures again changed from the end week of June up to the present wherein inquiries are back to 15-20 and even beyond, she added.
Coyoca said that the numbers indicate that the current business status with businessmen, especially those outside the city and Mindanao is beginning to “normalize”.
“Martial law is not yet done,but the inquiries, in terms of leasing, office space requirements, is already back to normal,” Coyoca said.
Records from PRIME Philippines’ 2017 Property Market Report teaser, Davao City currently has a total of 36,461 number of businesses.
In terms of investments, the report states that the city is “one of the best investments in a variety of sectors including real estate” wherein survival rate for businesses remains high with 86.31 percent in 2015, an advantage compared to the usual rate of 70 percent.
“What we did right now in our teaser is present more facts and figures in the current state of Davao. Our target market is more for Manila and international investors for them to know what are to expect in Davao. The bigger picture, the bigger study about the effect of martial law will be part of the publication that we will be releasing.” Namis said.(davaotoday.com)
