Former banker takes seat as new chairperson of Tagum Cooperative

TAGUM CITY, March 26:  Former bank manager Miriam Baloyo now takes the seat as chairperson of the Board of Directors of the billionaire home-grown Tagum Cooperative replacing Norma Pereyras who will be taking a break after serving three consecutive terms as an elected official.

Baloyo earned the favor of the members of the Board of Directors and officers  present during the election conducted Monday night which was immediately followed by a simple turn-over  and oath-taking ceremony of  the 2013-2014 Tagum Cooperative set of officers who were inducted into office by Atty. Jennifer Namoc.

Her stint as  the Philippine National Bank branch manager in Tagum City and in Monteverde, Davao City placed her as former chairperson of the Credit Committee of Tagum Cooperative before she became a member of the Board of Directors with which she served her second year before finally getting into position as the concurrent chairperson.

Aside from Baloyo, other recently inducted officers of Tagum Cooperative included Monica L. Salido, vice chairperson of  the Board of Directors; Nenita Malbas and  Edgardo T. Silagan as  new members  of the Board of Directors while Albert M. Omega was re-elected into the Board of Directors.

Other members of the Board of Director are Antonio Aranas and Fe Adlawan who both are serving their second year of their current terms.    

In her acceptance speech,  Baloyo bared two major concerns  she would like her administration to focus on:  financial sustainability and promotion of  social responsibility for the marginalized members of Tagum Cooperative.

She acknowledged the “gigantic challenge” to equal or surpass the past administration’s performance  but she expressed  confidence to hit  the “higher bar of achievement.”

“Let us continue to innovate, to  persevere in our respective roles and responsibilities, and to consistently work hard for that aim of socio-economic sustainability,” she urged fellow members of the Board of Directors, officers, key management officers and management staff.

Aside from sustaining the economic viability of Tagum Cooperative as a self-sustaining cooperative with P1.8 billion assets as of end of  2012, Baloyo  wanted to steer the Cooperative towards transforming the economic plight of members who have less in life.

She wanted that to ensure that marginalized members would “achieve economic growth in the same pace as Tagum Cooperative grows.”

She was glad to note that the Savings and Credit with Eduction (SCWE) store recently  established at the heart of Tagum City Public Market  generated sales of about P52,00  in just 17 days.

Citing  such performance, she believes that  Tagum Cooperative  can become an “agent for income generation that can help  members  in the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors”.

“We can develop products and services that will empower them and promote self-reliance and self-improvement,” she said.

On the other hand,  Baloyo was inducted into office along with other elected officers of Tagum Cooperative.  

Mark Mahinay takes the seat as the new chairperson of the Audit Committee, vice chaired by Brendo Bayocot with Rose Torrejano as the secretary.

Atty. Jennifer Namoc now chairs the Election Committee vice chaired by Edgardo Apuya with Flordeliza Alegarbes as the secretary.

In giving her turnover remarks,  Pereyras expressed hopes that Tagum Cooperative officers together with the management staff would continue to bear in their hearts the consciousness that “Tagum Cooperative is our apostolate.”

She stressed the God-centeredness core value of Tagum Cooperative which also values trustworthiness and unified competence. (Tagum Cooperative)

GK Bayani Challenge in Compostela ends in a happy note

COMPOSTELA, COMVAL, March 27 (PIA):  On the culmination of  the five-day Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2013 in Compostela town in Compostela Valley Province, children joined young volunteers in cheering  house workers to go on doing the finishing touches  of  houses.

Even Gov. Arturo T. Uy got enticed with the sway and joined them  in dancing the tune of  GK Bayani Challenge theme song entitled, “Walang Imposible” with which the children of families of existing GK homes have come to know by heart.

Together with Gov. Uy, they burned the energy of the meal they shared earlier during the boodle fight with house workers, volunteer builders and the secretariat.

To go on cheering the house workers and volunteer builders who were still working under the scorching heat of the summer sun,  slow  rock songs  were played alternately with disco music, among which the  Gang Nam Style was most  danced by  GK children.

A total of 38 families are already residing in  the Kahiusahan SOP (San Miguel, Osmena, Poblacion) GK Village where this year’s GK Bayani Challenge was held, building additional 50 houses in 25 duplex.

Gardelina Galeno who has been  living at SOP GK Village is welcoming more neighbors who will soon be living in GK SOP community once the newly-built GK houses will be turned over in May to new beneficiaries who preferably are Typhoon Pablo victims.

“Maayo hinoon kay mas bibo na mi diri, daghan na mi ug silingan.  (That would be good, making our community merrier with more neighbors around.),” she said.

Her  grade six daughter Charry Fe Galeno  was with other children in the neighborhood, dancing and singing, giving entertainment to visitors, volunteers, builders, house workers and people in the neighborhood.

“Bibo na jud kaayo mi diri; dugang sa mga higala.  (We would even be merrier here;  we’d have more friends.),”  she said.

During  the closing program in the afternoon,   the GK children served well as entertainers as they featured in most intermission numbers in between messages from local chief executives.

Compostela Valley GK coordinator  Edwin “Bong” Carmelotes, information officer  of the municipality of Mabini profusely gave thanks to sponsors and volunteers as he cheered Compostela Valley for joining the 32 other provinces serving as sites of this year’s Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2013.

Aside from speeches and entertainment, the GK Bayani Challenge 2013 in Compostela Valley also accorded recognition to the Fastest Bayani Builders award which went to local government of Nabunturan; the Most Active Bayani Builders to Panabo City; Pinakamasaya Builders to the De Salle Builders;  the Biggest Contingent of Builders to the 72nd Infantry Battalion; the Most Supportive Builder  to the Legacy College of Compostela; and the Tree Planter Builders to De Lasalle.  (PIA XI/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Hotel exec bullish on PH prospects

DAVAO CITY March 27- A hotel executive bared that his company is bullish on the potentials of the Philippines as an emerging hotel market in the Asia Pacific Region.

“You have an expanding middle class, young and dynamic population plus the presence of low cost airlines and a growing government spending on infrastructure.”  says Simon Barlow, Asia Pacific president of the Carlson Rezidor Group.

The Carlson Rezidor Group of Hotels is one of the largest hotel group in the world operating in 80 countries and employing 78,000 people in its 1079 hotels belonging to the group. It recently inaugurated its newest hotel in the Philippines- Park Inn by Radisson located in Davao City.

Barlow cited the potentials of the country during his press conference held last March 22 during the formal opening of Park Inn by Radisson in Davao City. He cited the 41-million domestic and international tourists in 2012 which is estimated to grow by 66 million in 2016.

He said that by 2016 the country would need 76,000 hotel rooms across the country to fill the growing tourism market.

Barlow bared that the country along with India and Indonesia are where the company is focusing in the region. The hotel executive cited the multiple development opportunities present in the country.

The Carlson Rezidor regional head said that they are focusing on midscale hotels like the Park Inn by Radisson brand as there is growing market for midscale hotels and the country has many upscale hotels in the pipeline.

He said that present location of the hotel in Davao City was ripe for development, he cited the combination of a convention facility and a mall is a powerful complement to Davao City being the capital city of the south.

The Park Inn by Radisson Davao built by SM Hotels and Conventions is a 204-room P750-million midscale hotel development it is located inside the SM Lanang Premiere which hosts a sprawling shopping mall and a 4,750 square meter convention facility, the SMX Davao.

According to Barlow there are 128 Park Inn by Radisson hotels in the world across 39 countries with 68 more hotels in the pipeline, the Davao Park Inn is the first hotel of the brand in the Asia Pacific Region. (PIA/RG Alama)

Police and military observe heightened alert for the Holy Week activities

DAVAO CITY, Mar 27 (PIA) Authorities heightened the security of the city to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the commemoration of the Holy Week.

Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office said police and military personnel under Task Force Davao are deployed in churches, terminals, ports and airports and other places of convergence to monitor and act immediately on contingencies.

He said tighter security checks will be imposed at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal in Ecoland, Sasa Wharf, and the Davao International Airport to ensure the safety of visitors and the faithful who will join the Holy Week activities in various churches.

“We will observe maximum police visibility in areas where people gather for the Holy Week celebration,” De la Rosa said.

He said five hundred policemen will be deployed for the occasion.

De la Rosa also called on all policemen to reflect on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ even on the line of duty.

“You can reflect on the teachings of Christ even at the time we are serving the people,” he said.

De la Rosa also urged local residents to be wary of the security of their houses once they leave to attend religious services.

He advised residents to close all windows and doors and not to give any opportunity for break-in.

Lt. Colonel Roberto Rivas, deputy commanding officer of the Task Force Davao said the military supports the security measures being implemented by the police in all public places.

He said tighter checks have been imposed on their established choke points in Barangay Sirawan, Toril in the south, Barangay Lacson, Calinan in the north and Barangay Bunawan in the northeast as part of the measures to prevent crime and acts of terror.

“We call on the riding public to cooperate in the checkpoint operations since it is for their own safety,” Rivas said.

He also said tighter checks on baggage are also strictly observed at the overland terminal to ensure the safety of travellers going out of the city. (RGA/JSD/PIA-XI)

Gov. Uy gipanghatag sa dul-an 2,000 Pablo Victims ang mga sen nga gihatag ni Cong. Pacqiao sa Comval

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Gisugdan na ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy  pagpanghatag ngadto sa mga katawhang biktima sa milabay’ng bagyong Pablo ang mga sen nga gihatan ni Cong. Manny Pacquiao.  Maoy unang nakabenepisyo niini ang mokabat 1,968 ka pamilyang nanag-iya sa partially damaged houses diha sa mga lungsod sa Compostela, Monkayo, Montevista,  New Bataan, ug sa Laak.

Maoy gitahasan ni Governor Uy sa pagpang apud-apod sa mga sen ni Cong. Pacquiao ang mga empleyado sa Kapitolyo nga sakop sa iyang gimugnang Shelter Cluster.  Ilang kauban sa pagpang apud-apod niini ang mga empleyado sa munisipyo nga misakop sa lugar nga gipuy-an niadtong gipanghatagan sa maong mga sen.

Matud ni Shelter Cluster Lead Arceli Timogtimog nga sugod niadtong Martes hangtud sa Biyernes ilang nahatagan  sa tag-unom ka plegong 10ft. corrugated gi sheets ni Cong. Pacqiao ang 1,968 ka pamilya, ug sulod sa usa ka semanang pag-release natunol sa probinsiya kanila ang 11,803 ka plegong sen.

Sa milabayng bulan miabot sa kapitolyo sa Compostela Valley ang saad nga hinabang ni Cong. Pacquiao sa mga biktima sa Supertyphoon Pablo, ug maoy sulti ni PGSO Chief Timogtimog  nga ilang nadawat ang daghang sen ug ang 1,800 ka palid nga plywood nga gihatud sa mga sinaligan sa ginaidolong boksidor.

Si Cong. Pacquaio maoy usa sa daghang local donors nga mitabang sa probinsya sa pag-atiman sa mga biktima sa bagyo, ug sa iyang pagbisita sa ComVal niadtong Disyembre 16, 2012, siya mitunol ug 3,000 ka putos nga assorted goods nga gipang apud-apod sad dayon ngadto sa mga biktima sa bagyong Pablo sa New Bataan.

Matud ni Gov. Uy nga nag-uban gayud sila ni Cong. Pacquiao sa pagpanghatag ug hinabang sa Typhoon Pablo Victims sa New Bataan, ug sa maong panahon iyang nasinati ang kamaloloy-on ug ang kabuotan ni Pacquiao. Gani human matud pa sa sa gihimo nilang Distribution sa Relief Goods, si Cong. Pacquiao misaad usab ug dugang pang mga hinabang nga itunol alang sa mga biktima sa bagyo sa Compostela Valley.  (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Gov.Uy hugtanong misuporta sa No Balance Billing (NBB) Policy sa Philhealth ni Pangulong Aquino

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Hugtanon karong gisuportahan ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy ang No Balance Billing (NBB) Policy sa Philhealth nga gimando ni Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III, ug tungod niini giklaro ni PEEMO Administrative Officer Gary Alonsabe nga ang upat ka Provincial Hospitals sa ComVal dili na mangolekta ug bayad sa mga pasyente nga holder sa   Government Sponsored Philhealth Cards.

Gipasabot usab ni Alonsabe nga walay labot sa kapin P75 milyones nga income ang  gihatag nga discounts sa probinsiya ngadto sa indigent patients tungod daghan kanila wala na gipabayad sa ila untang bayronon sa mga hospitals kay ang probinsiya mao nay miabaga sa ilang mga bayronon.

Gawas sa pag-upgrade sa Hospital Services pinaagi sa pagpalambo sa Hospital Infra, Hospital Facilities, ug sa High Quality Services Delivery nga padayong gitunol sa mga health personnel diha sa 4 Provincial Hospitals, ang liderato sa probinsiya sa pagpanguna ni Gov. Uy naningkamot usab sa pagtabang sa kabus nga mga katawhang Comvaleño pinaagi sa pagtunol kanila sa libreng Philhealth Enrollment.

Maoy partner sa probinsiya niini ang national nga gobyerno pinaagi sa Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD) ug sa Department of Health (DOH), ug aron mas mapadak-an pa ang gikahatag kanila nga benepisyo sa gobyerno gimando usab ni Gov. Uy nga suportahan ang No Balance Billing  Policy sa Philhealth ni Pangulong Aquino.

Matud usab ni Alonsabe nga tungod sa hugtanong suporta ni Governor Uy sa NBB Policy sa presidente, kadtong mga pasyente nga na-admit sa bisan asang Provincial Hospital sa ComVal nga holder sa Government Sponsored  Philhealth Card dili na pabayron sa ilang excess nga bayronon kun duna man.  Kini tungod maoy motapada sa excess nilang bayronon ang probinsiya pinaagi sa Provincial Economic Enterprise Management Office (PEEMO) ilalom sa pagdumala ni Dr. John Edward Coloma. (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Comval giilang Top 10 Most Outstanding Province sa Rice Production. Agri Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards gihakot

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Tungod sa mga maayong nahimo aron modaghan ug modako ang ani  sa tibook probinsiya sa kada tuig pinaagi  sa lain-laing Agricultural Interventions nga gitunol   ngadto sa mga mag-uuma ilalom sa “Rice Sufficiency Program” ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy, gipasidunggan karon sa Malacañang pinaagi sa Department of Agriculture (DA) ang Compostela Valley ingon nga isa sa Top 10 Most Outstanding Provinces sa nasud sa Rice Production.

Pinaagi sa Plaque nga gitunol nila ni Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala ug Assistant Secretary Dante S. Delima- National Rice Program Coordinator ngadto nila ni Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya ug Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Rolando Simene niadtong Marso 15, 2013  atol sa gihimong awarding rites sa “2012 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever’s Awards” nga malampusong gihimo didto sa Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) sa Pasay City ,  gipahibalo sa D.A. ang dakong pag-ila sa Extra-Excellent Performance sa probinsiya sa gihingusgang rice production sa nasud ubos sa Rice Component sa Agri-Pinoy Program ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.

Giila sad nga apil sa Top 10 Most Outstanding Irrigators’ Association ang Upper Naboc Farmer’s Irrigators Association ug Awao Farmer’s Irrigators Association sa lungod sa Monkayo.  Samtang maoy usa sa napiling Top 3 Most Outstanding  Small Water  Impounding System Association ang Libasan Cooperative sa lungsod sa Nabunturan. Gipasidunggan usab niadtong adlawa didto sa PICC sila si PAGRO Chief Dr. Rolando Simene ug Crops Division Senior Agriculturist Fernando Palsario ingon nga apil sa Top 500 Agricultural Workers sa nasud. Dugang sa gitunol  nga plaque,  ang D.A. mihatag usab ug Cash Award nga 4 milyones pesos sa probinsiya

Matud ni Fishery Division Chief ug Provincial Agriculturist Office Planning Head Ronald Sibayan, nga ilalom sa gihingusgang Provincial Rice Sufficiency Program ni Gov. Uy, ang probinsiya naglawig sa performance rating sa rice production tungod sa lain-laing Best Practices nga gipatuman sama sa Palay Check, sa gihimong Rice Techno-Demo, sa nagpadayong Farmers Field School, ug sa giimplementar nga Farm to Market Road projects sa mga rice production areas.

“Ang Parangal ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka ay iginawad sa Compostela Valley Region XI na hinirang bilang katangi-tanging Lalawigan 2011-2012 sa ikalawang taon ng Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever’s Awards.  Bilang pagkilala sa mahalagang kontribusyon ng lalawigan sa pagpapalawig at pagpapataas ng produksiyon ng palay sa buong bansa, na siyang nagbunsod ng kasapatan sa bigas ng mga mamamayan at pag-aangat ng kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka ng palay sa kanayunan.” matud sa D.A. (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Gov. Uy: Rebuilding sa Comval pagatutukan next 3 years nga pagdumala sa probinsiya

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Giklaro karon ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy nga maoy pagtutukan sa iyang administrasyon sa dugang tulo ka tuig pa niyang paglingkod sulod sa ikatulong termino ang gisugdang mga paningkamot sa Rebuilding.  Kini aron nga matagamtaman sa mga katawhan ang mas maayo pa nilang kahimtang sa wala pa maigo sa Supertyphoon Pablo ang tibuok probinsiya sa Compostela Valley.

Sa pagsaulog sa 15th Founding Anniversary ug 6th Bulawan Festival nga malampusong gihimo diha sa Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School niadtong Marso 8, iyang gipahibalo sa halos tanang mga lideres ug mga katawhan nga gisumiter na sa probinsiya ngadto sa buhatan ni Presidente Benigno Aquino III ang “Blue Print of Recovery sa ComVal panahon sa National Task Force Pablo Meeting didto sa kauluhan.

Kabahin niini ang recommended recovery and reconstruction needs sa probinsiya nga mokabat sa 16.749 Bilyones Pesos.  Kun kini ihatag na sa pangulo, ang kapin 7.405 bilyones pesos gikan niini maoy gamiton sa probinsiya pagtukod ug mga balay alang sa mga biktima sa bagyong Pablo nga wa na gayoy kapuy-an tungod totally damaged ang ilang mga balay.

Malaumon ang gobernador nga ang gipangayong kapin 7.4 Bilyones Pesos nga pundo alang sa Resettlement Program sa mga katawhan, pagaaprobahan gayud ni Pangulong Aquino tungod dili gusto ang Pangulo nga ang mga katawhan mobalik sa daan nilang gipuy-an.

Apan iyang giklaro nga dunay obligasyon ang mga lideres ug ang mga katawhan niini nga mao ang paghatag ug counterpart sa lain-laing mga pamaagi sama sa pag-apil sa mga trabahoon panahon sa Construction.  (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Sta. Cruz LGU, GK set to build houses for flood survivors

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, Mar. 21 (PIA) – The local government unit and the Gawad Kalinga here will be converging the business sector, academe, religious groups and civil society organizations to build houses together for flood survivors in a simultaneous nationwide “Bayani Challenge.”

Sta. Cruz town will be joining 38 other municipalities and cities from 33 provinces in a five-day voluntary house construction activities starting March 23 to March 27, to benefit victims of natural disasters.

The Bayani Challenge, which bears the theme “Isang Bayani, Isang Bayanihan,” is aiming to build ten new homes for the flood survivors.

However, municipal information officer Julius Paner said the target would depend on the actual pooled resources.

The construction site will be in a two-hectare area at Luway in Barangay Zone 2 which the LGU acquired as relocation site intended for residents affected by flood incidents and infrastructure projects, and those living in danger zone areas.

Paner said the identification of beneficiaries will be done after the building activities.

Among those that committed to participate and provide resources is the Business Council of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Inc. 

Business Council President Jose Villaflor told the Philippine Information Agency that the organization will build one unit of house which would cost about P100,000.

Villaflor said the Council’s pledge to build a house comprises of cash, available materials, manpower and transportation.

The Council which was formed last year has 20 members coming from private industries and companies based in Sta. Cruz.

The Bayani Challenge will also engage volunteers into tree planting, medical mission, creative fun activities and Kalinga Night featuring cultural presentations and pep talks.

PIA Director General and GK Bayani Challenge Event head Jose Mari M. Oquiñena has emphasized the relevance of strengthening partnership with private firms, saying “this is the best way to achieve industrial peace.”

“This is not a showcase of popularity. This is a challenge of generosity and work of heart, and a showcase of unity among the government, business sector and civil society organization,” he said.

Oquiñena is hoping that engaging in the Bayani Challenge will become a lifestyle for many Filipinos.

“The Bayani Challenge is beyond building houses, and it has become a way of creating possibilities,” he added. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

PDEA-XI nets biggest bust in years

DAVAO CITY- The drug-bust conducted last March 19 in Davao City is considered as the biggest apprehension in recent years.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI Regional Director Emerson Rosales said that the confiscated shabu is the largest in the past four years.

About P1.08 million worth of shabu were recovered from the couple Ednilyn Solis and Monsour K. Usman during the joint buy-bust operation conducted by the PDEA and the operatives from the San Pedro Police Station in an apartment inside the market community of Bankerohan.

Speaking before members of the Davao media at the Club 888 Media Forum in Marco Polo Davao last Feb. 20, Rosales said that the arrested couple got their supply from Cotabato.  The amount of drugs seized were nearly a third of the drugs seized by PDEA in 2012.

Rosales said that intensified coordination and intelligence efforts with the police and other law enforcement agencies have increased the number of apprehensions and volume of confiscated drugs. In 2011 seized drugs amounted to P2.3 million and increased to P3.1 million in 2012.

Aside from increase police efforts PDEA is also intensifying its demand-reduction campaign one of which is the holding of the first Mindanao-wide TV advertisement competition for college students in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency Region XI office and the Mindanao Film and Television Development Foundation.

Dubbed as Kontra: The First Mindanao Anti-Drug  TV Ad Competition, winning anti-drug TV ads entries will be shown on television and cinema houses.

Meanwhile the Davao City Police Office is also conducting its Oplan Tokhang in different barangays in Davao City, derived from the words toktok, hangyo (knock and request) police officers led personally by City Police Chief Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa conduct house-to-house visits to talk to suspected drug pushers to convince them to give up their trade or else face the full force of the law. (PIA/RG Alama)

Proper Land Documentation and Registration,

IGACOS, Davao del Norte, March 21 (PIA) - Atty. John Paul O. Devilleres of Registry of Deed, Davao del Norte shared  on Land Documentation and Registration processing  during the IGaCoS Monday Convocation hosted by City Assessor’s Office last March 18 at Samal Gym, Barangay Peñaplata , Samal District.

Atty. Devilleres presented the different types of land titles, the requirements to consider in the preparation of deed of sale, Deed of Donation, the difference of the old and new title, more so in the processing of transfer certificate of title.

“the land owner must register their land property at the Registry of Deeds; otherwise somebody else might go to the Registry of Deeds to file and claim their property. Any recent transaction happened to the land title the owner must informed the Registry of Deeds for the benefit of the landowner.” Atty. Devilleres said

Atty. Devilleres cited a certain case which a client went to his office asking why the other party also got a land title same as he has.

The double issuance of title can be checked in the Registry of Deeds after requesting a tax clearance from the city assessor’s office.

The speaker reiterated the need to go to the Registry of Deed before and after processing a Transfer Certificate of Title to avoid problem.

In a very limited time the ROD of Davao del Norte Head had clarified a lot of misconception and problems related to land titles. (emarisamal info.)

Rabies in IGaCoS: A Public Health Concern

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, March 21 (PIA) - More than 200 hundred undergraduate students of Holy Cross of Babak Inc.(HCBI) gathered for the Rabies symposium as part of Rabies Awareness Month Celebration at Babak school campus, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal last  March 15, 2013.

For a better grasp of rabies virus contamination, a film showing on Rabies Case at HCBI social hall and actual rabies vaccination was made by the staff of the City Veterinary Office at their campus. 

The symposium was facilitated by the city government through the City Veterinary Office, Rabies Control Committeein partnership with the Department of Education, Davao del Norte Hospital Samal Zone andin coordination with themanagement of HCBI.

Dr. Catherine Mancio Valera, Davao del Norte Hospital- Samal Zone Head present during the occasion emphasized control and prevention of rabies and  urged students  to become responsible pet owners  in order for Samal  to achieve the  rabies free IGaCoS in 2015.

“Ang tao ang pinaka- smart  sa tanan animals , so kailangan we are responsible for our pets, atong pabakunahan ang atong iro, liguan ug talian para dili makapaak”(The humans are smartest among animals, so let us be responsible with our pets, submit them for vaccination, bath and leashed them so they cannot bite), Renz Allan S. Lacorte, Grade 7 (First year) of HCBI urged his fellow students.

The students assured cooperation to disseminate information to others as responsible pet owners and help the city government’s campaign for free rabies IGaCoS.

As per report from Davao del Norte Hospital Samal Zone, Samal got zero canine and human rabies case and 294 cases of animal bite cases from January to December 2012. In 2011 data, IGaCoS had zero rabies case but registered 226 animal bite victims,  a difference of 68 cases compared to 2012.

“An increase in animal bite was observed but this was probably  due to the intensified advocacy  campaign regularly made in the barangays with the help of the BRAVES Team wherein the people became  knowledgeable of the program and readily report cases to the concerned authorities”, Dr. Edunel Sala, IGaCoS  Veterinary Officer said.

“Our target on dog vaccination for this year is 10,000 dogs and we are glad to say that in the first quarter (January 2013 – present), we were able to vaccinate a total of 2,723 heads of dogs, an excess of 223 to our 2,500 target  in the first quarter,” Sala added.

Rabies vaccination was regularly conducted in the barangays by Barangay Rabies Control Team known as BRAVES. The BRAVES Team was organized by the City Veterinary Office after a Barangay Rabies Awareness and Vaccination Enhancement Seminar was conducted in the Barangay.  The Team was trained on proper rabies vaccination,  given pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for  rabies protection and to also perform other tasks in eliminating rabies in their respected areas.

One rabies case was reported but as per investigation the puppy containing the rabies virus was purchased in Davao City coming from an unknown source.   The puppy died due to rabies in three days after biting the owner fortunately the owner was safe after he underwent complete anti-rabies vaccination.

The City Veterinary Office continuously conducts dog registration, vaccination and information campaign in the barangays. They also impound stray dogs in major thoroughfares though sometime they were restrained by necessary resources needed to conduct the activities.

Sala appealed for a concerted effort in attaining rabies free city.  He urged the cooperation and participation of all the stakeholders here in Samal which is known to be a  tourism destination in Mindanao.

City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan persistently asked for cooperation and support to the program emphasizing its enormous effect on tourism and its great impact to the economic development of the city.

Samal City is aiming for a free rabies city by 2013 in close coordination with the Department of Health –Center for Health Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education and other national and local agencies in intensifying the campaign and implementation. (Melrose SAMAL CIO)

Peaceful settlement on framework agreement and Sabah claims urged

DAVAO CITY, Mar 21 (PIA) Peace advocates supporting the peace process urged the government to pursue the peacetalks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front anchored on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and not to be distracted by the Sabah claim espoused by certain sector.

Speaking to reporters prior to the holding a peace rally supporting the government-MILF peace talks last March 21, Atty. Mary Ann  Arnado, convenor of the Mindanao People’s Caucus said the peace talks between the government and the MILF must continue especially that the peace panels of both parties are almost near the finish line, with the crafting of the contents of the FAB resuming on March 25 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

She observed that recent developments in Sabah sidetracked the peace process with the MILF.

“Regardless of the merits and demerits of the Sabah issue, let us not lose sight of our main struggle for peace in Mindanao.  Mindanaoans are the most benefitted once the talks bring a lasting peace, so must pursue the negotiations,” Arnado said.

She said the current state of the peace talks is similar to the last stretch of a marathon where the finish line can be seen and almost near.

Arnado said any attempt to disrupt and derail the talks is deplorable.

She said calls like going to war with Malaysia are not well thought of, especially that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy.

“The Philippines adheres to peaceful dialogue and resolution of conflicts and does not support people who stick on to violent means,” Arnado said.

She said individuals who have claims on Sabah must bring this issue to the proper forum peacefully and not to call for bloodshed in these areas.

Arnado chided groups whose agenda is to derail the talks using the Sabah claim.

She also lauded President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s stance to pursue the peace talks despite calls to focus also on the Sabah claim.

“We need to finish the framework agreement so that within Mindanao itself we can establish the kind of governance for the Bangsamoro before entertaining at looking at other areas, Arnado said.

She said while there may be historical basis for the Sabah claim, any petitioner must establish first the location of its leadership.

Arnado said claimants must not lose the opportunity offered by the framework agreement which invites them to govern themselves first as Bangsamoro instead of making claims on Sabah.

Jehan Abubakar, chair of the Muslim Youth said even with the FAB alone, peace is already felt in many areas in Mindanao.

She hoped that any effort to sabotage the talks through the Sabah claim will not derail the peace process.

“We hope that the government, MILF and the Malaysian government will keep their respective commitment to work for a negotiated settlement for the lasting peace in Mindanao,” Abubakar said. (RGA/JSD/PIA-XI)

DSWD distributes goods, intensifies consultation-dialogues with Pablo Victims

MONKAYO, Compostela Valley --- Assisted by barangay officials, DSWD continue to engage the affected families during distribution of relief goods in Barangay Baylo, Monkayo, Compostela Valley on Monday.

In an effort to clear misunderstandings and accurately inform the victims of typhoon ‘Pablo’ on issues affecting them, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 11 is currently conducting dialogue-consultations in affected barangays in Compostela Valley.

Raquel E. Nuñez, Policy and Plans Division Chief at DSWD Region 11 reiterated that only DSWD can delist beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program contrary to what some quarters are saying that politicians or local officials can delist them if they do not vote for a particular candidate.

Speaking in the vernacular, Nuñez stressed, “para pud maklaro sa inyo, kay nakadungog mi sa istorya nga ingon sila katong mga nikuyog [sa rally] didto sa DSWD tanggalon. Kung kamo nga tinuod nga naga attend og regular session sa inyong FDS, dili biya sayon ang pagtanggal sa inyo (To clarify things, because we have heard of rumors that those Panatawid Pamilya beneficiaries who joined the protest against DSWD will be delisted. If you attend the Family Development Sessions (FDS) regularly, you will not be delisted).”

Further, she clarified that Pantawid  beneficiaries who participated in the protest rallies staged by the Barug Katawhan on January 15 in Montevista, and February 25-28 at the DSWD Regional Office in Davao City will not be delisted from the program. “Again, we are stressing that only DSWD can delist beneficiaries, and as long as you are complying with the conditionalities, you will remain a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.”

Pantawid beneficiaries can only be delisted if: pregnant mothers fail to avail of pre- and post-natal care; if they do not undergo regular health check-ups; if they fail to attend classes at least 85% of the time; or if parents fail to attend the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS).

“Walay maski kinsa nga mga pulitiko o kandidato ang magpatanggal sa inyo (No politician or political candidate can delist you),” Nuñez added.

For her part, Ms. Jenny Rose Porras of Barug Katawhan, who was present during the relief distribution and consultation-dialogues affirmed the partnership with DSWD. “Naa ning Barug Katawhan ug ang DSWD, partnership ni sila (Barug Katawhan is working in partnership with DSWD), Porras said.

“Ang Barug, DSWD ug Balsa naghi-usa sa distribution sa disaster relief goods (Barug Katawhan, DSWD and Balsa Mindanao are together in the distribution of relief goods for the disaster victims),” Nuñez added.

In view of the election ban on the release of public funds during the campaign and election period starting March 29, the distribution of relief goods will be conducted by private groups. DSWD

“We Were Not Aware of the Rally” - DSWD Protesters

COMPOSTELA, Compostela Valley --- Many people who joined the protest at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 11 on February 25 claimed they have other plans in going to Davao City that day. They maintain their leaders deceived them so they could join the rally.

Among those who claimed they were deceived was Rubeliza Hernane who said her husband’s union leader lured them to join the protest against his former employer, Freshmax Corporation.

“Niadto akong bana sa Davao kay unionista man na siya. Nangumusta siya sa trabaho nila, kung kanus-a ba mag-operation (My husband went to Davao City because he is a member of the union. His concern was about the resumption of operations of his work at Freshmax,” Hernane said.

Marilyn Hingpit, another wife of a former employee who was allegedly illegally terminated, claimed that they received a notice of hearing for their case against the company.

“Akong bana man gud kay unionista na siya sa Freshmax Corporation. Nagpadala sila og notice kanamo. Mao na among giadto didto(My husband is a member of the union of Freshmax Corporation. We received a notice of hearing. That was our purpose of going to Davao City),” Hingpit said.

“Pero ngalan nga niadto mi didto para sa DSWD, wala uy (But we did not go to Davao City to participate in the protest against DSWD),” she added.

Freshmax Corporation is a Korean-owned company that exports bananas. Its employees in Compostela Valley have been displaced due to flash floods caused by typhoon Pablo

Another former employee who was allegedly illegally terminated, Rolan Verdejo, claimed that he went to Davao to get his Social Security System (SSS) number.

“Niadto ko og Davao kay nag follow up ko sa akong SSS number (I went to Davao City to follow up on my SSS number),” he said.

The three, all residents of barangay San Miguel, joined the throng of people who went to the regional office of the DSWD and were surprised that their companions were already protesting against the agency.

"Wala gyud ko kabalo nga moadto mi og DSWD (I really did not know that we were going to DSWD),” Verdejo said.

All of them expressed fear that their participation in the protest would result in them being delisted in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

But Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon assured them that they could only be delisted if they failed to comply with the conditions of the program.

"The agency understands their apprehension. I want to allay their fear,” she said.

Razon added that there was no truth to the rumor that all Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who joined the protest would be delisted.

“Pantawid beneficiaries can only be delisted if: pregnant mothers fail to avail of pre- and post-natal care; if they do not undergo regular health check-ups; if they fail to attend classes at least 85% of the time; or if parents fail to attend monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS),” she added.

Meanwhile, Jean Montero of Barangay Ngan, Compostela said, “Wala ko kabalo ang adtoan sa Davao rally (I didn’t know we were going to Davao for a rally).”

Edgar Balaga, of Barangay San Roque, Baganga, Davao Oriental, said, “Nagmahay ko nga miuban ko sa ilaha. Wala gyud koy nadawdaw sa akong pag-uban. Wala mi tarong kaon. Giingnan mi nga mangadto daw mi’g Davao ug mangaligo og dagat. Tagaan pud daw mi og tag-P150 kada isa ug tag-isa ka sako nga bugas. (I regretted my joining them. I didn’t gain anything from that. We even had no decent meals.  We were told we will be going to Davao to swim in the beach. We were also informed we will be given P150 each and a sack of rice each.).”

The protest was organized by Barug Katawhan, a group who claimed that its members were victims of typhoon Pablo. DSWD/Leslie Lao-Francisco

Philhealth to members: Pay premium before deadline

DAVAO CITY, Mar. 20 – Philhealth-XI expects members to swarm its office for the next few days for the deadline of premium payment this month.

This is why the Philhealth regional office is reminding all members under the Individually Paying program to remit their contribution for the first quarter of the year, covering January to March, before the deadline on March 27.

In anticipation of the high volume of foot traffic, services will be extended to the transacting public at a payment center inside Victoria Plaza, fronting Footstep, on March 26 and 27, from 10am to 5pm.

Office operations will be closed from March 28-29, in observance of the Holy Week. Regular office operations will resume on April 1.

Members are encouraged to pay premiums ahead of time to avoid inconvenience during last-minute remittance.

They may also opt to settle payments at nearest accredited payment centers and collecting banks.

To guarantee continuous availment of benefits, members must be keen in paying their premiums as this will serve them better purposes in the future.

Being established to administer the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and provide exceptional quality health care services to Filipinos, one of Philhealth’s thrusts is to increase and sustain membership in all categories.

Philhealth regional office is located at Valgosons Bldg., Bolton Extension, Davao City. More information is available at www.philhealth.gov.ph. (Philhealth-XI/Kleah Gayle Dublin)

Sta. Cruz LGU gets P2.9M royalty tax from hydro plant

STA. CRUZ, DAVAO DEL SUR, Mar. 20 (PIA) – The local government of Sta. Cruz, this province, recently received a total of P2,942,263.10 as the municipality’s share of royalty tax from HEDCOR Sibulan, Inc. (HSI) for the latter’s hydropower operations in Barangay Sibulan.

HSI Grid Manager Nuel Medelo has turned over a check to Sta. Cruz LGU which was represented by Mayor Joel Ray L. Lopez in a turn-over ceremony on March 11, 2013.

Medelo said that aside from the royalty tax, HSI has also been extending more projects to the community of Sibulan and Sta. Cruz as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) like medical missions, community infrastructure support, educational assistance and reforestation projects.

For his part, Mayor Lopez was thankful to have received the said amount considering that it would be a big help to the municipality.

He said that all through the years HSI is one of the biggest taxpayers in Sta. Cruz, adding that “Hedcor has been one of the good things that ever happened to this municipality.”

Hedcor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower which has 19 run-of-river hydropower plants in the Philippines. (MIO-Sta. Cruz /Julius Paner)

ComVal to host a weeklong National Bayani Challenge

NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, March 19 (PIA) - Simultaneous with the other 33 provinces nationwide, ComVal will be hosting a weeklong National Bayani Challenge on March 23-27, 2013 at Barangay Osmeña, Municipality of Compostela.

There will be 50 duplex-type Gawad Kalinga (GK) houses to add the existing SOP Kahiusahan Uswag GK Village, tapping as beneficiaries those poor families still living at the evacuation centers due to fully damaged houses caused by Typhoon Pablo.

National and international teams are expected to join the local teams during the bayanihan.

Part of the Build are daily and nightly events set to empower the team builders such as Fellowship Nights, Children’s Hour, Bayanihan Games,  Bayanihan sa Paaralan, Empowerment Talks, Green Walkathon, Tree Planting, Paraisong Pambata Kids’ Day, and Parangal sa Mga Bayani.

 There will be special events also like Palm Sunday Mass and Rosary Walk where builders will proceed to typhoon-devastated Barangay Andap in New Bataan to offer prayer, flowers, and light candles for the departed souls.

More volunteer-builders signify their intention to be part of this noble event.  Presently, there are 40 registered team builders with a minimum of 15 members per team.   

During the actual build, skilled workers are to be provided by the provincial and local governments to each team with the support of the World Food Program (WFP) through their Cash For Work intervention.  (grace almedilla, ids-comval)