PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE – Panabo City government yesterday conferred the recognition as “Outstanding Panaboan” to an entrepreneur-philanthropist who topped this year’s annual search for exceptional Panaboans.
Daisy Bajao-Sotelo, who owns the Sotelo Group of Companies, struggled through poverty, being raised by a single mother of four children, who was making a living working domestic jobs for her neighbors.
After graduating from high school in Panabo, Sotelo went to Manila and landed a job in a cargo forwarding business, which encouraged her to take Customs Administration at the Philippine Marine Institute.
Learning the ropes of managing a logistic business, Sotelo established Port Net Logistics in 1998. With trusted partners, she expanded her venture to a number of businesses including Triple V Logistics, Gatewat Container Lines Phils., Sotelo Business Center, Sotelo Construction and Development Inc., and Sotelo Heart Foundation.
Sotelo’s love for her birthplace paved way for community service, such as the provision of water systems and college scholarship grants to the graduates of her alma mater, Quezon High School.
These achievements and services made Sotelo the lone awardee as Outstanding Panaboan under the First Category.
The First Category of the Search honors the Outstanding Panaboan award given to Panabo-born individuals who have resided in the city for at least 10 years and have contributed to the development of the city. The criteria for the selection included professional excellence and achievement, impact of achievement to the Panabo community, leadership and pioneering zeal, and good character and integrity.