Alang sa mas gipalapdang Nutrition Program ni Gov. Uy sa Comval, UN-WFP mohatag ug dugang P2 milyones

 COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Pipila ka adlaw i-download na sa United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) ang P1 million ingon nga pasiunang pundo sa saad nilang P2 milyones aron mas mapalapdan pa ang nagpadayong Nutrition Program ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy sa Compostela Valley. Kini human sa malampusong pagpirmahay sa usa ka Tripartite Agreement sa probinsiya, sa UN-WFP, ug sa Department of Health (DOH).

Ang MOA Signing malampusong gihimo sa Kapitolyo niadtong Abril 22 ug maoy mipirma niini sila si Governor Uy alang sa probinsiya sa ComVal; si UN WFP Mindanao Operation Head Masanobo Horie nga maoy nagrepresentar kang UN WFP Country Director Aomo Asaka Nyangara;  ug DOH Region XI Director Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama Jr. alang sa DOH.

Mga saksi sa malampusong MOA Signing sila si Asst. Provincial Planning & Development Officer Raymundo Pajarito nga maoy Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO); si Provincial Health Officer Dr. Renato Basañes;  si Leo Dominador Fajardo- Head of Mission sa UNICEF- Davao; si Asst. PHO Chief Dr. Georgie Arvin Legaspi;  si PEEMO Chief Dr. John Edward Coloma; ug Nutritionist-Dietician Perpetua R. Labadia sa Center for Health Development (CHD) - DOH Region XI.

Ilalom sa giprmahang Tripartite Agreement ang UN-WFP mohatag ug dugang ayuda nga P2milyones sa probinsiya aron mapadayon hangtud sa bulan sa Hunyo ang gihimong “Nutrition Management in Emergency Situation Project” nga giimplementar ni Gov. Uy pinaagi sa Provincial Nutrition Council diha sa giilang Hardly Hit Municipalities nga mao ang mga lungsod sa Compostela, sa New Bataan, Monkayo, Montevista, ug sa Laak. Samtang ang probinsiya mogahin usab ug pundo nga P717,166.80 alang sa maong tumong.

Gawas sa itunol nilang P2milyones ang UN-WFP, mohatag usab ug 464,760 ka kilong bugas humay; 46,476 ka kilong  mongo beans; ug dugang 1,024 kahon nga Ready to Use Supplementary Foods (RUSF) alang sa Moderately Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Maoy hatagan niini ang mokabat 11,619 Typhoon Pablo Victims diin ang 9,619 kanila mao ang mga nagpasusong inahan ug laing 2,000 nga mga batang gagmay sa edad 6 ka bulan hangtud 59 ka bulan.  (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

IGaCoS, First Salintubig Recipient

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL(Apr. 25) PIA - The city government of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) received  a P2-million pesos grant from the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) Program  of the national government identified as one of the priority areas for the Bottom- Up  Planning  and Budgeting  Projects (BUPBP).

The Salintubig program aims to provide sufficient and potable water to all the households in the barangay that anchored to the local poverty alleviation reduction program of the national government.

Barangay Aumbay of Island Garden City of Samal is the first recipient of the SALINTUBIG   Program   fit to avail of the project which belonged to a waterless municipality/city and one of the poorest barangay with reports of high level of waterborne diseases.

An initial grant fund of P1M out of the P2M was received by the city government here for the implementation of water supply project last April 11.

Department of Interior and Local Government Manila Engr. Richard Cruz with DILG Region XI Engr. Gail Gravador accompanied by personnel from the office of DILG-Samal,  IGaCoS Water District, City Engineer and City Planning conducted an ocular inspection and  evaluation of the project area    last March 5, 2013.

The IGaCoS Technical Working Group of the Salintubig Program was responsible for the speedy preparation of all documents needed for the release of the grant fund. The IGaCoS Water District prepared the feasibility study while the detailed engineering design was prepared by the City Engineer’s Office.

The SALINTUBIG program is consistent with the Millennium  Development Goal (MDG) No. 7 that is to reduce by 50% the world’s population without access to safe and potable water which our governments committed  to provide water to all Filipinos particularly for the poor and waterless communities.

Priority to water and sanitation is also stipulated in the Philippine Development Plan for 2011 – 2016.

The national agencies tasked for the  Salintubig Program were the National Anti-poverty Commission (NAPC), Department of Social Welfare and Development, DILG, Department of Budget and Management, Local Waterworks Utilities Administration and the Department of Health which were responsible in identifying priority areas for the BUPB project and to provide safe and potable water through the “Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat Program. (Lorderly CPDO/Melrose)

UN-World Food to add P2-M nutrition support to ComVal

Rebel killed in Comval clash

DAVAO CITY, April 25 (PIA)- One rebel was killed, another one wounded and several high powered firearms were recovered following an encounter between members of the 66th Infantry Battalion and  more or less 30 New People’s Army rebels 9:00 am Thursday (April 25) in Barangay Apogon, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Battalion said the body of the lone fatality was brought to the nearest barangay center for identification and to be given a decent burial.

He said the clearing operation also yielded six Armalite rifles.

Paniza said the soldiers were on a routine patrol when fired upon by the armed group consequently resulting to an hour of encounter.

“Clearing operation is still going as we speak,” he said.

Paniza said another wounded rebel was given initial medical treatment by the soldiers who took him to the nearest medical facility.

Lt. Colonel Michael Logico, commanding officer of the 66th IB said the soldiers were conducting an operation in response to the extortion activities by the rebels in the area.

He said the soldiers responded immediately after learning from the residents the presence of the rebels.

Earlier, Colonel Angelito de Leon, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade ordered the soldiers to conduct relentless operation against the abductors of PFC Jesus Tomas Jr. who was taken by the rebels in Barangay Elizaldo, Maco, Compostela Valley, Wednesday morning, when the armed men harassed unarmed members of the peace and development team in the area.

Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division lauded the troops for repelling the rebel attack.

“I commend the members of the 66th IB for successfully carrying out their mission to protect the lives and property of the people of Nabunturan,” he said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Cadet’s ‘Silent Drill’ aims to invite young Tagumeños to study in PMA

TAGUM CITY (Apr. 25) PIA - The scorching heat of the sun welcomed the cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Gabay Laya” Class of 2016 as they showcased their silent drill performance in the Freedom Park grounds, Tagum City.  Part of the cadets' annual Southern Cruise in the selected areas in the Mindanao.

“This is to encourage the young and intelligent young people to study in the Academy and as well as to promote the PMA in the Southern Region,” said Sgt. 3rd Class Cadet Padua.

The visit was headed by the Head of the PMA Delegation, Cmdr Junjie B. Tabuada, PN together with Maj Julius C. Librada, PA the Course Director in the Soldier Team Development Course, Col Eutacio Galindo, Chief Chaplain, PA, Cpt Paul de Guzman, Division Chaplain, PA, LTC LlewlynBinasoy of 6IB and Capt Harold Ho, PA of 1003rd Brigade.

The troop was composed of 92 cadets (18 women and 74 men) of Gabay Laya Class of 2016. Few of the delegates together with their head had a courtesy call in the Mayor’s Office and welcomed by the City Administrator Rafael Abrenica.

The cadets who performed on the grounds of Freedom Park demonstrated an exhibitions like right shoulder arms, left shoulder arms, forth arms and order arms were demonstrated during the 45-minute presentation. They also performed dances, which ignites the crowd to become livelier while dancing to beat of Eat Bulaga’s Cha-Cha, Gangnam Style, Harlem Shake, Careless Whisper and the Davao’s FamousBudots dance.

During the exhibition, four gun salutes were fired and in the middle of the performance, the cadets offered roses to the fascinated Tagumeño as an act saying thank you for the warm welcome in the City of Palms.

After the performance, Cmdr Junjie B. Tabuada, task Group Commander and the Head of the PMA Delegation handed over the token of gratitude, which is a replica of a PMA cadet to Senior Councilor De Carlo “Oyo” Uy.

Gabay Laya Class of 2016 had already their performances in some of the key cities in Mindanao, like in Davao City and in Panabo City. (Louie Jay Losaria-CIO Tagum)

AFP, PNP pursues rebs after twin attacks

DAVAO CITY, April 25 (PIA) A police officer assured that the peace and order in Mabini, Compostela Valley has gone back to normal after two armed men opened fire on the police station using a grenade launcher 7:35 pm Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, director of the Compostela Valley Police Office said police and military observed an alert level three since Tuesday night by putting up checkpoints and conducting pursuit operation against the perpetrators who took advantage of the power outage in launching the attack.

No one was hurt in the incident.

He said the investigators are trying to establish the identity of the perpetrators who fled under the cover of darkness.

“Mabini was part of the rotating brownout when the incident happened that is why the perpetrators were able to sneak 30 to 35 meters away from the police station,” Cascolan said.

He said the police station is located in front of the Tagum-Mati national highway.

Cascolan said the fragments from the point of impact point to an M203 grenade.

He said that right after the blast, a one-kilometer radius search was launched immediately around the police station in the effort to look for the persons responsible for the explosion.

“Unluckily, we did not catch the suspects.  Hopefully, we can come up with cartographic sketch.  Witnesses saw two persons riding on a TMX motorcycle,” Cascolan said.

Meantime, the military has launched a search for a soldier who was taken allegedly by the rebels following an attack at the public market of Barangay Elizaldo, Maco, Compostela 6:45 am Wednesday.

1Lt. Vilma Mojado of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion said the rebels opened fire on three unarmed members of the peace and development team and were able to drag away one of the soldiers as the two others scampered to safety. 

She said residents hid the two soldiers when the rebels were about to take hold of them.

Mojado identified the soldier who was taken by the rebels as PFC Jesus Tomas, a member of the 71st Infantry Battalion.

Soldiers are currently pursuing the armed group (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Campaign materials, fruit waste ups DC’s trash collections

DAVAO CITY April 25 (PIA)- fruit wastes and campaign materials have contributed to the rise of the daily collected trash in Davao City.

Dolores Remojo Officer-In-Charge of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office said that based on data taken from the weighbridge at the Davao City Sanitary Landfill daily trash collections for the month of April has gone up to 430 tons as compared to the previous collections weighing 410 tons a day.

Remojo said that the 20 ton s increase are mostly fruit wastes like peelings and husks while the rest are campaign materials which Remojo estimates to be five to 10 percent of the added trash.

She said it is usual for the city to experience high trash collection rate during fruiting season particularly Durian which is currently in season.

According to Remojo the CENRO had discussions with fruit vendors along the famed Durian row at Magsaysay Park where a truck had been contracted and stationed in the area to bring the durian husks and other wastes back to the supplier farms where they are made to fertilizers or hand-made paper.

But the CENRO OIC said that some makeshift or freelance fruit stalls would just put their wastes into sacks and place them in garbage collection points and these contribute to the waste collected.

As for campaign materials, Enojo said they are anticipating a further increase in garbage collections with the Commission of Elections (Comelec) and the Davao City Police Office conducting Oplan Baklas or the removal of campaign materials posted beyond the Comelec-designated posting areas.

The CENRO is focused on removing campaign posters nailed or tied in trees growing in public or unfenced areas. 

Presidential Decree 953 prohibits the injuring of trees planted in public spaces while Comelec Resolution 9615 specifically prohibits campaign materials posted or tied on trees. Remojo bared that 65% of the violators on tree posting are local candidates.  (PIA/RG Alama)

Maternal deaths seen to go down with ultrasound at health centers

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE,  April 25 (PIA):  Maternal Mortality Rate in  Mindanao  is expected to go down with more rural health doctors trained to use the ultrasound for early detection of pregnancy complications.

           

Department of Health assistant secretary Dr. Romulo Busuego shared this vision as  he revealed the target of DOH to train about 100 rural health doctors to use the ultrasound in diagnosing complications of pregnancy.

            

The DOH  formally started rolling out the program Tuesday on the first day of the 10-day OB-Sonography Training for Primary Care Physicians at the Davao Regional Hospital located in Apokon, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Two rural health doctors from Bukidnon, one from Lanao del Norte, one from Zamboanga Sibugay, one from Misamis Occidental and one from Misamis Oriental join the first batch of OB-Sonography training hosted by DRH with which Dr. Busuego also serves as the chief of hospital.

            

The training bills  each participant a fee of P160,000  for a package of one unit of portable ultrasound machine, board and lodging and the training which brings a panel of experts among whom are from the Institute of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (IDMS).

            

“They can readily bring home  the ultrasound machine,”  Dr. Busuego said while he viewed ultrasound to become a common medical equipment available at the municipal, provincial and district hospitals , “just like the stethoscope”.

            

“What is ultrasound? It’s but a simple technology that can be learned by anybody trained to use it,” he said in putting emphasis on the need to  provide “justice to the health needs” of those who badly need it  at the community level especially the pregnant women.

            

Dr. Romulo raised concern over the prevailing increase in number of mothers who died of pregnancy complications which could have been prevented if detected earlier with the use of an ultrasound.

             

Prevailing MMR  is placed at 160 per 100,000 population which is an increase from 120 per 100,000 but Dr. Busuego said DOH targets to bring the MMR down at 50 per 100,000 level.

            

With this program piloted in Mindanao, Dr. Busuego hopes that MMR reduction in Mindanao would contribute a two-third to the overall decrease of MMR.

            

Dr. Busuego laid down strategic approach of bringing down MMR through the Rural Health OB-Sonography Program targeting the 800,000 Mindanao-based conditional cash transfer recipient families who badly need primary health care service.

            

Guidelines of using such ultrasound allows rural health doctors to  bring it to far-flung areas so pregnant women can  save cost on transportation and medical services  previously offered only at medical centers in urban areas.

            

If rural health doctors can acquire advance training on sonography,  Dr. Busuego said the portable ultrasound can be used for early detection of health-related complications other than pregnancy.

            

IDMS President Dave Santiago in the same forum said IDMS designed such training for  non-traditional users of ultrasound such as the RHU medical doctors and allied health practitioners as IDMS shares the advocacy of providing health services at the community level.   (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Labor Day job fairs bring 30,000 vacancies

DAVAO CITY, April 25 (PIA) – Job seekers in the region will be given opportunities for possible employment in local and overseas companies that will offer 30,893 vacancies in job fairs set on Labor Day.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-XI) will lead three simultaneous job fair events on at SM City Davao and Gaisano Mall in Davao City and at Gaisano Mall in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, in celebration of Labor Day on May 1.

DOLE-XI Regional Director Atty. Joffrey Suyao bared that about 2,980 job vacancies from 131 local firms will be opened at the two malls in Davao City, while 17,977 overseas jobs come from 51 companies.

Suyao told the media in a press conference today (April 25) that 750 jobs have been solicited from 25 companies in Tagum City, and that 19,497 vacancies from 15 firms abroad will also be offered in the city.

He said the top five in-demand positions in the local participating companies are technical support representatives, customer service consultant, call center agents, waitress/waiter and online tutors.

The other needed jobs include accounting staff, management trainees, sales associates/representatives, tellers and information technology specialists/computer programmers. 

For the work abroad, the top ten in-demand jobs are domestic helpers, household service workers, electricians, technicians, waitress/waiters, receptionists, engineers, masons/carpenters, babysitters and drivers.

Suyao urged job seekers to pre-register on April 26-30 at 10:00 am to 6:00pm at SM City Davao and Gaisano Mall Davao. 

He said the Regional Coordinating Committee comprising of all attached agencies of DOLE in the region will hold a one-stop shop delivery of their respective programs and services during the job fairs.

Ma. Carolina Agdamag, chief of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Regional Center for Mindanao, said they will put up a POEA desk not only to entertain queries but also to accept applications for the staff nurse positions being offered by the Ministry of Health-Hospital Operation Program (MOH-HOP) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Agdamag said representatives from the MOH-HOP of KSA are expected to personally administer the application and interview procedures.

She added that the government of Germany will also be needing nurses.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will provide free overseas calls for the immediate families of the Overseas Filipino Workers.

Other DOLE-attached agencies such as the Professional Regulation Commission, National Labor Relations Commission, and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board will also be present during the job fairs to extend their respective services.

Suyao said the job fair is one way of addressing the unemployment concern in Davao Region which hit at 6.3 percent as of January 2013, lower than the national figure of 7.1% based on the data from the National Statistics Office.

The same unemployment rate was noted in the same period last year, he bared saying “this just showed that our employment facilitation efforts had no much effect.”

“Maybe because, daghang nawad-an og trabaho mainly because of (Typhoon) Pablo (Maybe because many lost their jobs during Typhoon Pablo,” Suyao enlightened.

The DOLE official also cited the rise of underemployment from the 15% rate last year to 21.1% of the total number of employed persons in the region.

He explained that the underemployed are those with jobs but still need or desire to look for other jobs with higher pay, or who want to render extra hours of work.

Suyao said as of January 2013, Davao Region has an employment rate of 93.7% or 1.855 million of the 1.979 million labor force. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

Gagmay’ng minero sa Comval gihatagan ug Small Scale Miner’s License sa probinsiya

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Nanghatag na karon ang Provincial LGU sa Compostela Valley ug Small Scale Miner’s License ngadto sa gagmay’ng mga minero, ug maoy unang nahatagan ug Miners License I.D. sa probinsiya ang Small Scale Miners nga nag-operate sa mga minahan diha sa mga lungsod sa Nabunturan ug sa Pantukan.

Si Environment and Natural Resources Department Chief Eugene Alaba sa Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) nagsulti, nga ang I.D. sa gagmay’ng mga minero nga gitunol sa probinsiya adunay semblance of legality tungod kini pirmado mismo ni Gov. Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy nga mihatag kanila ug pagtugot nga maka-operate sa mga minahan sa lungsod.

Sa iyang pakigpulong ngadto sa gagmay’ng mga minero niadtong Abril 19 diha sa Kapitolyo atol sa usa ka adlaw’ng Seminar sa “Small Scale Mines Safety, Rules and Regulations ilalom sa DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 97-30 nga gitabangan pagdumala sa probinsiya ug sa MGB, giawhag ni Governor Uy ang gagmay’ng mga minero nga ilang ampingan ang gihatag kanilang I.D. sa probinsiya kay dako kini’g ikatabang sa ilang security ug sa uban pang mga panginahanglan kalabot sa ilang pagmina diha sa mga kabukiran.

Giklaro usab sa gobernador nga bisan pa man kun  pagbulut-an sa National nga gobyerno ang pagpadagan sa industriyang extractive labi na  sa mina, apan padayon siyang mobarog alang sa gagmay’ng nga minero aron sa pagpanalipod sa ilang mga katungod ug pribilihiyo. (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Gov. Uy: Distribution sa Family Food Packs walay gisayloan basta klarong naglisud

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Padayon gihapon hangtud sa bulan sa Hunyo ang gihimong pagpanghatag sa probinsiya sa mga hinabang pagkaon, ug matud ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy nga  ang tanan gayud nga mga biktima sa Supertyphoon Pablo maoy gipanghatagan sa probinsiya sa Family Food Packs ug walay gipili ug gisayloan sa distribution basta klarong naglisod.

Sa gihimong Press Conference nga gidumala sa Davao Region Multi-Media Group  (DReMMG) diha sa Molave Hotel sa Tagum City niadtong Abril 18, gisulti sa Gobernador  ng si Pangulong Aquino pinagi ni DSWD Sec. Soliman misaad nga ipadayon ang pagpanghatag ug hinabang pagkaon hangtud sa bulan sa Hunyo.

Tungod niini personal siya nga nagpasalamat ug daku matud pa ngadto sa pangulo ug sa DSWD Secretary kay giuyonan ang ilang hangyo ni Gov. Corazon Malanyaon nga ipadayon hangtud sa Hunyo ang Disitribution sa Family Food Packs tungod wala pa maka-recover sa kalisod ang mga katawhan labi na ang mga mangunguma nga maoy pinakadaghan nga hut-ong sa mga katawhan sa probinsiya sa Comval.

Giklaro sad karon sa gobernador nga ang repacking ug distribution sa mga hinabang pagkaon gihimo sa kada adlaw gawas sa adlaw’ng Dominggo, ug duna nay maayong sistema sa pagpang apud-apod niini aron daling makaabot sa mga pamilya nga nanginahanglan.  (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Gov. Uy: Wa koy gisugo pagpangayo’g donasyon. Ayaw mo’g tuo sa manawag ug magpailang akong sinugo

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Gipahimangnoan karon ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy ang publiko nga magbantay sa mga oportunista ug mga mangingilad nga magpailang iyang gisugo pagpangayo’g hinabang alang sa mga biktima sa bagyo, ug matud pa niya nga dili tuhoan ang bisan kinsang tawo nga manawag kanila ug magpailang iyang sinugo kay dili kana tinuod ug gigamit lang ang iyang ngalan alang sa ilang personal nga kaayohan.

Sa gihimong Press Conference nga gidumala sa Davao Region Multi-Media Group (DReMMG) diha sa Molave Hotel sa Tagum City niadtong Abril 18, gisulti sa gobernador nga dunay pipila ka mga kompanya ug establisemento nga nag-report kaniya mahitungod sa pipila na ka mga tawo nga nanawag sa ilang upisina ug nagpailang iyang sinugo sa pagpangayo ug hinabang alang sa Supertyphoon Pablo Victims sa Comval.

Matud sa gobernador nga wala gayud siya magsugo ug mga tawo aron mangayo’g hinabang kang bisan kinsa labi na sa mga negosyante. Ang mga hinabang nga miabot sa probinsiya buhat sa kalooy, ug kini  bulontaryong gitunol sa lain-laing donors human nga sila nasayod sa kahimtang sa mga katawhan.

Kun duna may mga fund raising ang probinsiya alang sa nagpadayong paningkamot sa rebuilding, kini himoon nga usa ka opisyal  pinaagi sa sulat nga ipadala kanila sa probinsiya nga pirmado sa iyang ngalan alang sa pagpahibalo, paghangyo, ug  pagpangayo sa ilang suporta.

Kini  usab dayag sa katawhan tungod dunay opisyal nga pagpahibalo diha sa publiko pinaagi sa lain-laing media outlets sama sa mga pahayagan kun newspapers, sa radio broadcast, ug bisan sa television.

“Wa koy gisugo pagpangayo’g donasyon alang sa mga biktima sa bagyo. Ayaw mo’g too sa mga tawo nga manawag sa inyong opisina pinaagi sa cellphone ug magpaila nga kunuhay akong gisugo nga mangayo kaninyo ug donasyon alang sa mga biktima sa bagyo kay kana pangilad ug dili tinuod,” matud ni Governor Uy. (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Kita sa Tagum City Musikahan gipalit ug sen aron ipanghatag sa Supertyphoon Pablo Victims

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Gipamalit na ug mga sen sa Tagum City Local Government Unit ang gikita niini sa bag-o nahumang Musikahan Festival sa siyudad aron ipanghatag sa mga biktima sa Supertyphoon Pablo.

Niadtong Abril 18, malipayong gitunol mismo ni Tagum City Tourism Council Chair Madam Alma Uy ang 800 ka plegong 10’ corrugated G.I. Sheets ngadto kang Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy aron nga kini ipang-apud-apod  sa probinsiya ngadto sa Supertyphoon Pablo victims diha sa Brgy. Andap, New Bataan nga partially damaged ang mga balay human maigo sa grabeng pagkuso-kuso sa milabay’ng bagyo.

Sa gihimong ceremonial turn-over didto sa Kapitolyo, malipayong gipaabot ni Governor Uy ang iyang dakong pasalamat sa Tagum City LGU, ug matud pa niya nga ang siyudad ilalom sa maayong pagdumala ni Mayor Rey T. Uy maoy usa sa mga nag-unang LGU sa nasud nga mitunol ug daghang hinabang sa probinsiya sa Compostela Valley human nga kini naigo sa Supertyphoon Pablo niadtong Disyembre 4, 2012.

Dugang sa minilyon nga kantidad sa pagkaon ug uban pang relief goods nga ilang gihatag sa probinsiya ang 22 ka mga chainsaw nga gitunol mismo ni Mayor Rey T. Uy sa Kapitolyo.  Maoy gihatagan ni Gov. Uy niini ang 11 ka mga lungsod.  Ang kada Municipal LGU gihatagan sa gobernador ug tag-duha ka mga chainsaw nga nakatabang ug dako sa nagpadayong clearing ug debris management diha sa mga kabaranggayan.

Kahibaloan nga tungod sa grabe ka kusog sa Supertyphoon Pablo nga miigo sa onse ka mga lungsod, daghan kaayong punoan sa dagkong mga kahoy ug mga lubi nga nangatumba sa mga kabalayan ug mga kadalanan.  Gani human sa bagyo dili na halos maagian ang daghang mga kadalanan lakip na ang National ug Provincial Roads.

Dugang kaayohan nga nahatag sa maong mga chainsaw mao nga ang ginabas nga kahoy ug mga lubi nahimong dugang tinubdan sa lumber materials nga gigamit sa liderato sa probinsiya sa padayong pagpang-ayo sa partially damaged houses ug sa gitabangan pagtukod nga bunkhouses sa probinsiya, sa DSWD, sa lain-laing LGUs, sa mga local donors, ug sa uban pang humanitarian partners. (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Young dreamers on wheelchairs

NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley --- They may be young, but the pediatric wheelchairs they received will be unforgettable until they get old.

Joseph Paderog, 7 years old, is one of the two young boys who were fortunate to receive a pediatric wheelchair from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Joseph has severe hydrocephalus, making him unable to walk. He used to have a wheelchair before but it was washed away by rampaging floods caused by typhoon Pablo.

Unlike his old wheelchair, Joseph liked the new one because it fits him, “Ganahan ko ani kay gamay (I like this because it’s small),” he said as he urged members of his family to gather behind him for a photograph session. The old wheelchair, he said, was for adults.

Joseph hopes that he will be able to finish college and eventually become an engineer so he could build houses for the poor.

The family was thankful that Joseph could now go to school on wheelchair and even mingle with other kids at his Grade 1 class.

The other beneficiary was 14-year old Reniel June Diano, the eldest child of couple Rene and Julieta Diano. The boy was diagnosed with muculo-skeletal dystrophy and lower respiratory tract infection. With his family's meager income, he could not undergo the regular medical check-ups.

But Reniel is determined to go to school. With his new wheelchair, it would now be easier to achieve his dream.

“Para makalaag-laag pud ko didto (So that I could also go there),” pointing at the school grounds near his home.

Like Joseph, Reniel also lost his wheelchair, which serviced him for three years, to the typhoon.

“DSWD, through the Protective Services Unit, continues to implement programs and services to persons with disabilities like the provision of assistive devices. We aim to give them the opportunity to improve themselves despite their conditions,” social technology focal person Cynthia N/ Umbaña said.

“We hope that with the new pediatric wheelchairs, Joseph and Reniel are now a step closer to realizing their dreams,” she added. DSWD/Leslie Lao-Francisco

PMA Yearlings wow Dabawenyos of their silent drill

DAVAO CITY, April 23 (PIA) Ninety two cadets of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2016 started entertaining the city residents by performing silent drills as their primary activity during the Davao leg of their southern cruise at the open field of the University of Southeastern Philippines Tuesday.

2Lt.  Chrstin Joan Pamplona, community relations officer of the Task Force Davao said the cadets will also be performing 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in the cities of Panabo and Tagum, respectively on April 24.

She said the cadets will also show their wares l10:00 am on Thursday, April 25, at the Central Elementary School, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in the cities of Panabo and Tagum, respectively.

Pamplona said the cadets will also proceed to Davao del Sur to perform in Digos City at 10 a.m. then Sta. Cruz at 2 p.m. on April 26.

“These future soldiers are composed of Third Class Cadets, sophomores in civilian universities called the "yearlings" in the academy,” she  said.

She said the yearling will adjust to life as an upper class man after they have finished the course as Fourth Class Cadets and are given the privilege to have a tour.

Pamplona said it is rare to see PMA cadets perform silent drills in Davao City, since most of their time is spent at the academy in Baguio City.

She said that one of PMA's goals in coming to Davao is to encourage the residents to be part of the organization.

Pamplona said the yearlings are also scheduled to meet with other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and with local government units for about a week and will head back home on Saturday, April 27.

Colonel Casiano Monilla, commander of the TF Davao hoped that the silent drill will persuade the younger generation to be part of the professional soldiery in the future.

“This is a great opportunity, not only for Davaoeños, but also for the cadets, as well. They will gain a lot from this experience and at the same time filling memories of their young careers, knowing that they are able to perform to the residents of Davao,” he said.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Tagum receives “child-friendly city” national recognition

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE (April 23) PIA - The City of Tagum is among the few local government units in the country that have been recognized for their efforts to Protect, Promote, and Preserve the Rights of Children, thus earning the title as a “Child-Friendly City.”

City Councilor Maria Lina F. Baura, vice chairperson of the Local Council for the Protection of Children, represented Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy in the awarding ceremony last April 17, 2013 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Tagum landed as a finalist in the component city category, along with the Cities of Laoag, Talisay and Tagaytay, which was awarded the highly-coveted Presidential Award.

Other LGUs recognized during the ceremony are the following: Tubigon, Bohol for the 1st -3rd class municipalities category; Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya for the 4th–6th class municipalities category; Tagaytay City for the component city category; Davao City for the highly-urbanized city category; and Santiago City, Isabela for the independent component city category.

The said award was conceptualized through Executive Order No. 184 to encourage local government units at all levels to prioritize and address issues/concerns affecting the full realization of the rights of children; monitor, evaluate and document the implementation of programs, projects and services particularly those directly benefiting children; strengthen local partnerships for the benefit of children; and give national recognition to cities and municipalities that have been considered and confirmed as “child-friendly”. (Louie Lapat- CIO Tagum)

AFP chief of staff wants impartial military during polls

DAVAO CITY, April 23 (PIA) A top military officer ordered the soldiers to be impartial at all times in view of the May 13, 2013 national and local midterm elections.

General Emmanuel Bautista, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines told reporters that the primary guidance for this election is to help the poll body conduct peaceful elections side by side with the police.

Bautista said soldiers must be non-partisan in the whole electoral process.

He said they still awaiting for instructions from the Commission on Elections  on the finality of the election watch list nationwide.

“We are still awaiting guidance from the poll body on the final watch list but my order to the soldiers is to stay impartial all the time while we provide security to ensure the sanctity of the electoral process and the safety of the people,” Bautista said.

Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz, new commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command echoed Bautista, stressing the need for all his soldiers to be non-partisan.

He stressed that need to provide all security services equally to all parties who seek assistance from the military. 

Cruz also vowed to pursue the Internal Security Plan: Bayanihan.

He said he wants all units under the EastMinCom to adopt the Bayanihan-team operation in order to deny the communist rebels the opportunity to penetrate the communities.

“We will fill in the vacuum left by the local government. The people in the countryside will feel the presence of the government initially through the soldiers and then we transfer whatever established project to the local government units for them to continue,” he said.

Cruz took over the command from retired General Jorge Segovia, who relinquished his command as he celebrates today his 56th birthday, the mandatory age of retirement for military officers.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines) 

Google calls on volunteers for precinct-mapping project

DAVAO CITY April 23 (PIA)- Google Philippines is calling for volunteers to contribute to its Map-Your- Precinct Project 2013.

The Map-Your-Precinct project aims to help Filipino voters to find their precincts or voting centers using Google maps. The system entails the help of mapping volunteers which inputs details of the locations of precincts  to Google mapmaker.

The project started in 2010 was conceptualized with the entry of automated elections which made changes in precincts due to clustering thus causing confusion to many voters.

“We thought this would help and being able to empower citizens to help out their fellow citizens to find their precincts.  Aileen Apolo-De Jesus, Google head for outreach Southeast Asia said in a television interview.

De Jesus said that potential volunteer mappers must know their own neighborhoods. They can go tofindyourprecinct.ph and enter a city or locality which are familiar to them and look for unmapped precincts  then locate the precincts and pin it on the map.

She said that a volunteer doesn’t need to be expert in Google mapmaker as the site and its tools makes it easier for laymen to map their precincts.  De Jesus said that map-ups have already been conducted in Arakan in North Cotabato and in General Santos.  One can join roving map-ups or just plot the precincts within the comforts of their homes.

The Google executive said that they needed more volunteers since there are only a few precincts being mapped.

On election day, the information given by the volunteer mapper can help voters. The site gives exact address of the precinct complete with maps and details with the searching voter inputting just his precinct number The Map-Your-Precinct project was developed by   Google IT engineer Dan Cedric Delima who wanted to help fellow Filipinos find their voting centers, he said that based on experience growing up in Davao City, some schools are located in the interior and are difficult to find particularly for new voters.

De Jesus said that millions of Filipinos uses Google everyday to search for information and the company sees the mapping project not just an answer to Filipinos’ information needs but also to empower and equip them to contribute to nation-building. (PIA RG Alama)

Comval Guv cautions public on swindlers using his name

NABUNTURAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY, April 19 (PIA):  Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy cautions the public especially the business sector from giving in to anyone who calls to ask for donation in his behalf or on behalf of the provincial government.

In a press conference Thursday,  Uy revealed that a “deception and swindling”  activity had been going on using his name and the provincial government done through phone calls to businessmen who were allegedly asked to donate.

            

He further revealed that he received three calls  this week from  private business establishments which would like to confirm whether he indeed had  authorized anybody to solicit in cash or in kind in contribution to on-going relief operation for Typhoon Pablo victims.

            

“If there would be any request from me as Governor of Compostela Valley, it should not be done through phone call.  This is made through written communication bearing my signature and official seal of the Province,” he said.

            

“I urge our constituents to be always watchful and cautious so that you will not be abused by this kind of crime,”  he added.

            

In a separate interview, he said he already tasked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the crime, “and I know that tracking down of these suspects is underway.”

            

Uy, however, refused to divulge the names of the three private establishment which management got in touch with him to reveal the illegal solicitation. So far, he had known yet of anybody who had given in to such crime and  shelled  out money.   (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Butuan studes wins anti-drug video contest

DAVAO CITY April 19- A production team composted of students from  Fr. Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City copped the grand prize in the first Kontra : 1st Mindanao anti-drug TV Advertisement Contest organized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Their 1-minute TV advertisement entitled “Chicken” shows a young man experiencing hallucinations while dining with his friends. The video which creatively reveals the hallucinatory effects of drug abuse was adjudged as the best entry among the 15 participants coming from the cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Cotaba

to.

The second place video entitled “Peanut” from Jose Maria College grabbed 2^nd place while the third prize went to “Pug-Ngi” from University of Mindanao. Another category Audience and Director-General’s Choice award went to the entry “Huwag Mo Ng Subukan” from Ateneo de Cagayan.

The first places got P25,000 in cash with the second and third places getting P15,000 and P10,000 respectively, the Audience and Director-General’s Choice awardee got P5,000.  The winners were also given plaque with the other participants also given certificate of appreciation.

The awarding was held last April 18 (Thursday) at the Activity Center of Abreeza Mall of Davao City. The participating video entries were also shown during the event.

Among the judges in the video contest include PDEA-XI Regional Director Emerson Rosales, indie filmmaker Gary Bautista, RGMA TV journalist and award-winning indie filmmaker John Paul Seniel and ABS-CBN Davao TV reporter Melanie Severino.

The video contest initiated by PDEA-XI in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency-XI, Mindanao Film and TV Development Foundation and Philsaga Mining Cooperation is the first of its kind in the country. According to PDEA-XI Dir. Emerson Rosales, the winning video ads will be shown on several television stations and cinema houses across Mindanao.

PIA-XI Regional Director Efren Elbanbuena lauded the video contest of PDEA-XI which he describes as a trailblazing initiative, he hopes that the succeeding video contests will be joined by  more participants and would be also open to non-student and professional participants.  (RG Alama/PIA-XI)

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: Opening DURIANMAN TRIATHLON

WHEN: April 21, 2013 5:30 am

WHERE: Villa Josefina, Toril, Davao City.

Durianman Triathlon involves 3 rigorous sporting events 1.5 kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run.

 Triathletes from neighboring cities of Tagum, Panabo, Mati, General Santos, Bukidnon, South Cotabato and Cagayan de Oro are expected to participate.

Media guests can choose to proceed to the assembly area at Landco Lobby, DOT-XI office 4-4:30 am.

6,653 Typhoon Pablo Victims nakabenepisyo sa Family Emergency Shelter Kits nga gihatag sa IOM

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Gawas sa ilang pagsalmot sa Shelter Assistance Program ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy pinaagi sa pagtukod ug mga balay, ang Intenational Oraganization for Migration kun IOM  nakatabang sad ug dako sa liderato sa probinsiya sa pag-atiman sa Supertyphoon Pablo Victims pinaagi sa pagpanghatag ug Family Emergency Shelter Kits.

Si IOM Provincial Coordinator Rizalino “Jorie” Delos Santos  nagsulti nga dugang sa  mokabat 300 ka mga balay nga ilang gitukod, ang IOM nanghatag sad ug Family Emergency Shelter Kits ngadto sa Typhoon Pablo Victims pipila ka adlaw human maigo sa Super Typhoon Pablo ang probinsiya sa Compoistela Valley.

Matud ni Jorie nga sa pagkakaron miabot na sa 6,653 biktimang pamilya sa Supertyphoon Pablo sa Comval ang ilang naaporan paghatag sa  Family Emergency Shelter Kits diin ang kada set niini adunay trapal, gabas, martilyo, tie wire, ug lansang.

Ang ilang gipanghatagan niini mao ang mga lungsod sa Laak-1,900 ka pamilya; Nabunturan- 592 ka pamilya; Montevista  577 ka pamilya; Monkayo- 2,303 ka pamilya; ug New Bataan– 1,231 ka pamilya.

Dugang tabang ang laing gitunol nga 973 Emergency Shelter Kits gihapon; ang 273 nga Family Kits; ug ang 2,273 solar lamps nga ilang gitunol sa 2,273 usab ka pamilyang biktima sa milabay’ng bagyo.

Solar energy kun enerhiya gikan sa adlaw ang tinubdan sa power sa gipanghatag nilang solar lamps mao nga dili kinahanglan ang kuryente. Sa adlaw himoon ang pag-charge niini diha sa gawas sa balay.  Ang usa ka adlaw’ng pag-charge sa maong  gipanghatag nga mga solar lamps mahimo nang gamiton ug bale duha ka tibuok gabii nga pagpasiga.  (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

Typhoon Pablo food and non-food cluster delivers 1.6 million food packs to victims

Davao City, April 18:   A total of 230,000 typhoon-affected families received nearly 1.6 million food packs and other vital food assistance from the national government, local government units, the World Food Program and other United Nations groups and non-government organization, since the relief and rehabilitation started for the typhoon Pablo devastated areas in the region.

Beatrice Tapawan, Program Officer, World Food Programme (WFP in the recent TS Pablo Inter-Cluster meeting reported that 75% of family food packs came from Department of Social Welfare and Development and WFP, 18% from the Local Government Units while 7% was the share of other United Nations groups and international NGOs.

 She said that for the Emergency School Feeding, almost 80,000 school children in 260 schools received hot and nutritious meals each day.

“The food and non-food cluster on TS Pablo has established four humanitarian hubs, transported cargo from 30 planes, deployed 1,200 trucks and delivered over 25,000 metric tons of food and non-food items,” Tapawan said

 She said that through the Food for Work and Food for Training as well as Cash For Work and Cash for Training, the cluster carried out more than 200 projects with over 58,000 participants thus ensuring food security and spurring early recovery.

Tapawan said that among the projects undertaken are shelter construction, vegetable production, mud crab production and banca production.

“The cluster aims to link these livelihood ventures with government-led programs to ensure sustainability,” she said.

 Tapawan said that rice production was initiated in agricultural rehabilitation, spanning 450 hectares and conversion of 280 hectares banana farms.

 Rebecca Santamaria of the DSWD Protective Services Unit shared that family kits, hygiene kits, school supplies, used clothing, plastic mats, tarpaulins, solar panels, solar lanterns, chainsaws, generators and large tents measuring 10 x 24 and 10 x 32 meters used as hubs were among the non-food items provided to the affected families.

 She said some of the generators will be turned over to the local government units, Incident Command Posts or to the Neighbourhood Association for Shelter Assistance while the wiikhalls will be handed down to DSWD and provincial LGUs.

 The Food and Non-Food Cluster is composed of DSWD, provincial and municipal LGUs, WFP, International Committee of the Red Cross, ADRA, World Vision, International Organization for Migration and other national and international humanitarian groups. DSWD

No more idle time for the IP women of Sabangan

Davao del Norte (April 18) PIA  Women among the indigenous peoples of Barangay Sabangan in San Isidro town, this province, have found a productive pastime to while their hours away.

Instead of spending their time gossiping or doing nothing, the IP women, who are mostly members of the Dibabawon tribe, have decided to organize themselves and start a venture producing and selling fresh home-made delicacies made out of organic root crops.

 The mothers were given the opportunity to start their enterprise after undergoing the 2-day livelihood training on root crops kakanin (native delicacies)-making conducted by the Livelihood and Manpower Development Division of the Provincial Government, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd).

 The housewives, who are currently enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the DepEd, were taught on the proper preparation of native foods such as banana chips, cassava gel, muffins and chips, as well as, camote delight and bar.

 Dominga Sumambot, 60 years old and a mother of 12, was delighted to learn about the prospect of earning additional income for her family by selling quality native foods.

 She said she spends most of her time helping her husband in tending their 3-hectare farm in the neighboring barangay of Igangon.

 With the new knowledge and skills acquired from the livelihood training, Sumambot now considers selling native delicacies in their church and the local school to earn more.

 She is also excited on the possibility of their food products being marketed in malls and restaurants in Tagum City.

Pastora Tigtig, coordinator of the DepEd District ALS  revealed that after the creation of the ALS-IP Pangkabuhayan Association, they are bent on producing and marketing quality native foods in different outlets in the capital city.

Romulo Tagalo, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Information Office assured the technical and logistical support of the provincial government to the group, through its Ugmad Komunidad (UK) program.

 He said the province has backed the forming of 11 livelihood associations around the province, whose locally-made souvenir items and food products are now being displayed in the Produkto DavNor Pasalubong Centers at the Capitol Compound in Mankilam, Tagum City and in New Corella.

 Governor Rodolfo del Rosario established the Pasalubong Center to help promote and market the home-made products in the province, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the office of 1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario.

 Tagalo reiterated the thrust of the governor in improving the lot of the farmers by teaching them how to process their harvest to add value to their farm produce and command higher price.

 He also vouched for the marketability of the home-made delicacies of the IP mothers.

“Lami jud, gamay packaging na lang ug i-market nato aron sigurado mokita jud (Truly delicious. All that’s needed is a quality packaging and we are ready to market them),” Tagalo said after tasting them.(Noel Baguio-DavNor PIO)