Davao Diaries: July 18, 2026

Shubhrendu Khoche • July 18, 2026

yufin staff in the field.

1. For all the talk and early action on digital payments, diffusion to the majority will depend on how soon the industry solves for big supply chains; wholesalers, distributors and the merchants. Merchants are the best change multipliers in their local communities.

Case in point: we collect our payments from partner suppliers in cheques!

2. One can better curb illegal gambling if it’s online. How do you handle the ‘Magic lottery’ running offline in cash at every street corner, on whiteboards, that show the winning numbers and switch to showing item prices if there are rumours of a raid?

For now, it is the most common ‘gender neutral’ way for housewives and labourers, office goers and small business owners to hope for a P 8,000 payout on a P 20 wager.

3. Solar powered street lights are coming up but that’s not enough. Bold moves to break the utilities monopoly, availability of financing and permits for bigger capacity are needed for the huge surge in demand for rooftop solar to become a reality.

Our yufin merchants are waiting. The majority are interested in putting up rooftop solar and asking us how to get it.

4. Common folk don’t shy away from showing their political affiliation in South Philippines. Many of our merchants wear it on their sleeves.

5. Small merchants are not losing to modern retail. Some of our best merchants are located across the road from a modern retail format competitor but have longer lines. Trust, personalization and better prices still matter.