“Bayanihan Para Sa Karunungan” ipahigayon sa ComVal

by Grace Almedilla

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Ang probinsyal nga panggamhanan nangandam alang sa usa ka Partners’ Forum nga ipahigayon karong Nobyembe 29, 2013 sa Kapitolyo para sa programang Bayanihan Para sa Karunungan.

Imbitado ang mga lokal nga lideres, business executives, ug ubang mga guests, ang nasangpit nga kalihukan mugnaon alang sa pag-agni ug mga program partners sa Provincial Local Government Unit aron moayuda sa programa sa Department of Education (DepEd) sa paghatag ug de kalidad nga edukasyon ngadto sa mga kabataan pinaagi sa in-school reading interventions.

Samtang ang probinsya nagatukod ug classroom-buildings subay sa bayanihan nga pamaagi sa Gawad Kalinga, nakita usab ni Governor Arturo T. Uy kung unsa ka importante ang usa ka Reading Program alang sa mga kabataan diha sa sayong panuigon sa ilang pagtungha.

Kini usab susama nga nakita ni Senior Board Member Tyron L. Uy, ang Chairman sa  Committee on Education and Information Technology sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan kinsa miingon nga ang pagbasa mao ang sinugdanan sa pagkat-on.

Ang provincial government aduna nay kasamtangang mga programa kalabot sa reading improvement and comprehension para sa mga kabataang nagtungha.  Ang Compostela Valley Transforming Education Today kun COMET usa ka reading initiative nga diin ang partner sa probinsya niini ang Alcantara Foundation ubos sa ilang corporate social responsibility ug sa  nadungog na nga public-private-partnership sa probinsya.  Samtang ang Project ARTURO kun Accelerated Readers, Tomorrow’s Ultimate Response to Opportunities usa usab ka reading development program nga diin katambayayong sa provincial government ang DepEd.  Kini naga-focus ngadto sa pagtudlo sa mga kabataan aron makakat-on nga mobasa ug makasabot sa ilang gibasa kun reading with comprehension.  Kining maong programa suporta usab sa  provincial government ngadto sa nasyonal nga adbokasiya nga nag-ingon, “Every Child A Reader.” 

Ang “Bayanihan Para Sa Karunungan” usa kini sa pagkab-ot sa tumong sa paghimo sa mga nasangpit nga reading programs nga mamahimong parte sa kinatibuk-an ubos sa “Kalinga sa Kabataan” Program ni Governor Uy.  Kini maoy mamahimong dalan alang na usab niadtong mga manggihatagon nga mga partner-donors aron sila makaambit sa kalipay sa pagpanday ug maayong kaugmaon sa alang sa mga kabataang Comvalenyo.  (grace almedilla, ids-comval)

Kantahan sa Tagum holds grand showdown

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 28--- The first batch of champions in the revived Kantahan sa Tagum are officially known as the Local Government of Tagum held its grand finals last November 24, 2013 in time of the 56thyear Parochial Fiesta of Christ the King.

Kantahan sa Tagum is an amateur singing contest organized by the Local Government Unit of Tagum City which is held weekly at the Freedom Park. It is divided into two categories—the children and the adult category.

Aljhun Alborme was declared as champion in the Children’s category, while other winners in the said category include 1st runner up Lindo John Liquigan and 2nd runner up Kristine Reign Flor.

Ronilo Santander’s soulful rendition of “Puppy Love” made him the champion in the adult category, followed by 1strunner up Roldan Caderao and 2nd runner up Raymond Paoner.

Champion singers received 5,000 pesos in cash with gift certificates, 3,000 pesos and 2,000 pesos for the 1st and 2nd runners up, respectively.

While the first batch’s grand showdown is now over, Kantahan sa Tagum shall continue to hold its weekly showdown leading up to its next grand finals to be staged next year in time for Musikahan sa Tagum, the city’s official festival.

The event is aired over 103.9 Charm Radio as the official broadcast of the Kantahan sa Tagum. Gleiza Delgado of CIO Tagum

Thousands of bananas, relief packs for Yolanda survivors

Thousands of bananas, relief packs, and bottled water were distributed to Ormoc and Tacloban, Leyte as the Anflocor Group of Companies and the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) responded to the need of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Six thousand boxes of export-quality Cavendishbananas, close to 8,000 relief packs which consisted of food and basic items, and 10,000 bottles of water were loaded to trucks and reefer vans that set foot to typhoon-stricken communities.

Employees of Anflocor, themselves, volunteered to pack the relief items as sacks of goods poured in from other members of PBGEA such as Tristar Group of Banana Companies, Lapanday Foods Corporation, and Del Monte Fresh Produce (Philippines), Inc.

In the aftermath of the most devastating typhoon to hit the Philippines, bananas are one of the best immediate sources of energy and nutrition for the survivors who still lack decent shelter as rebuilding has just started.

Anflocor, thru its banana company Tadeco, and PBGEA also distributed thousands of bananas and food packs to communities in Bohol that were hit by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake last October 15.

Laak, Compostela Valley opens its Third cave festival

LAAK, Compostela Valley (Nov 20) – For the third year in a row, the major caves of this highland town will be the scene of party and fun, not the regular raucous type that is, as the municipality opens Thursday its annual cave festival.

“Who says caving is not fun?” commented Janice Ollave, Laak tourism officer, whose seemingly fragile physique belies the fact that she can slither in and out of caves like any experienced cavers.

Ollave explained that based on accounts her landlocked municipality hosts more than 100 caves of which only less than twenty have been explored.

Laak is 50 kilometres from Tagum City in Davao del Norte, the main access to her town.

The annual festival is focused on at least 12 caves – six in Sto. Niño, three in Andap, and three in Sisimon – where more than 300 graduating high school students in the municipality of Laak and other cave enthusiasts in Davao  Region will converge starting Thursday (November 21) for their three-day immersion on the cave environment and exposure on the importance of protecting, preserving, and conserving this significant part of the terrestrial ecosystem.

“The immersion and exposure, as well as tree-planting in the cave vicinity, are the serious side of the festival, the fun is in the get-together nightly activities in the Municipal gymnasium that feature the usual search for ‘Mr. and Miss Caverandia, and of in the second night the Caver’s Show down, singing, and dancing,” Compostela Valley caving coordinator Prescila Decena said.

The festival works on a simple formula targeted to have a long-term impact on the environment, Decena explained. “Mayor Reynaldo Navarro designed the festival to complement his campaign to protect the environment starting with the municipality’s young men and women,” she said.

“When they grow up and raise their own families these young people will be able to pass on to their children such values as protecting caves and their subterranean environment to sustain the ecosystem and life,” Decena said.

Caves host a rich biodiversity including cave bats that help in the pollination and spread of seeds like the durian. Laak is one of Compostela Valley’s major producers of durian and other fruits. 

Cavers are not allowed to venture inside the underground chambers without a guide to make sure they will not get lost in the dark, disturb denizens and their habitats, and damage sensitive rock walls and formations that took centuries to build.

Laak hosts one of the most pristine caves in Davao region. The cave, Bongloy Cave, is found in the tribal village of Sisimon.

An underground river flows within the cave while coiled banakon (Philippine cobra) sleep, indifferent to intruders. Rim stone and drapery decorate the cave walls.

Stalactiflats – a shelf of flowstones some forming canopies, false floors, and hanging bathtubs - lie undisturbed. Topping the formations are thick stalactites shining in brilliance from embedded materials carpeting the walls in gold and silver sheen.

Entering Bongloy cave, which is regulated to protect its virginal formations, is to tread the very cold waters of a shallow flowing river that begins somewhere in the womb of the cave, deep at several points. Only two kilometers have so far been explored by organized caving clubs.  (JPA, PGO-TSS)

ComVal to gather partners for “Bayanihan Para Sa Karunungan”

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, Nov. 28 -----The provincial government now prepares for a Partners’ Forum on November 29, 2013 at the Capitol dubbed as Bayanihan Para sa Karunungan Program.

Inviting local leaders, business executives, and other guests, the event seeks to find partners of the Provincial Local Government Unit in supporting the Department of Education (DepEd) provide quality education through in-school reading interventions packaged with series of valuable programs and sessions.

While the province has been constructing classroom-buildings patterned in the GK way (bayanihan), Governor Arturo T. Uy also finds reading an aspect of equal importance in giving quality education to the youngsters in their early years in school.

Senior Board Member Tyron L. Uy who chairs the Committee on Education and Information Technology of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan also shared the same vision of creating an environment conducive to the development of reading aptitude for children.

The provincial government has embarked on programs related to reading improvement and comprehension of school children.  Compostela Valley Transforming Education Today or COMET is a reading initiative in partnership with the Alcantara Foundation under their corporate social responsibility and with the province’s existing public-private-partnership.  Project ARTURO (Accelerated Readers, Tomorrow’s Ultimate Response to Opportunities) on the other hand, is a reading development program in close partnership with the DepEd, focusing on a child’s reading skills and comprehension.  It is also a support of the provincial government to the national advocacy of making “Every Child A Reader.”

“Bayanihan Para Sa Karunungan” is a realization of making these aforementioned reading programs to be part of the “Kalinga sa Kabataan” Program of Governor Uy.  And as public-private-partnership is visibly practiced in the province, this endeavor is another venue for generous partner-donors to share the glory of building a brighter future for the Comvalenyo children.  (Grace Almedilla, IDS-Comval)

43 families of informal shoreline settlers benefit from the core shelter assistance project of the government in IGACOS

Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, Nov  28 (PIA) -  Forty three(43) shoreline informal settlers received  P70 thousand pesos worth of check from the  Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) Field Office XI in coordination with the City government of Island Garden City of Samal  at thePHRDC, Brgy. Catagman, Samal District on November 20.

The CSAP is a protective services project under the Bottoms-Up Budgeting Program designed for disaster victims or relocation assistance for those dwelling along disaster prone areas and needed to be relocated to safe and secure relocation sites certified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau(MGB).

The grant financial assistance will be utilized for the construction of houses for indigent informal settlers however to strictly comply on the approved standard structural design provided by the Commission on Audit.

 “Nagpasalamat kaayo ko sa Ginoo ug sa atong lideres sa atong gobyerno kay unexpected kaayo nga  makadawat kami niining pinasya nga dako kaayong tabang para makapatukod kami sa among puloy-anan”(I’m so thankful to the Lord and our leaders in the government for the unexpected assistance given to us which is of big help for the construction of our dwelling), Pag-asa Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance Vice Chair Martiniano Ganados said.

Ganados said they were really happy because they were accommodated in a relocation site in Barangay Tambo and they also received assistance for the construction of their houses.

DSWD Field Office XI Protective Services Chief Rebecca Santamaria explained the importance of owning a dwelling place  for a person however she stressed the need for beneficiaries to strictly follow the rules in  the implementation of the Core Shelter Assistance Program.

Santamaria  was grateful to the local government for the concerted effort and support to the project since there is also a need to strictly comply with the requirements in its implementation. 

The local government of Island Garden City of Samal was grateful to the national government’s BUB Program which has supported some of the different department’s program particularly in housing, agriculture,  infrastructure and other projects.(melrose arig samal cio)

Red Cross receives donations from DavNor for typhoon victims

TAGUM CITY, Davao del  Norte, Nov. 28 (PIA)---Aside from giving to church-based entity,Davao del Norte donors for Typhoon Yolanda victims entrust their donations in cash and in kind to the Philippine Red Cross Davao del Norte Chapter.

Philippine National Red Cross, Davao del Norte Chapter Administrator Luzviminda Cacacho-Neri this morning  revealed some Tagum City, Davao del Norte-based individuals, organizations and institutions which coursed through their donations to the PRC.

Among the donors  in-kind are Tagum Doctors College, Rotary Club of Central Panabo, Maryknoll High School of Panabo Alumni Association, Tough Forty Cooperative of Tagum, Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Agua Fontana, Sureflow Mineral Water and Aces College of Tagum.  Neri also identified “Nonoy” Te as in-kind donor.

In-kind donors brought to PRC Davao del Norte food items such as rice, sardines, noodles, canned goods, coffee, milk; bottled water, used clothing, and toiletry.

Nestle Philippines and Gaisano Grand Mall of Panabo pledged to donate while Mr and Mrs. Pedro San Jose and Tagum City Bankers Association of Tagum City handed over cash donations to Davao del Norte PRC.

Neri revealed that the local chapter of PRC already made its first delivery of donations to Tacloban City Chapter of  the Philippine Red Cross  on Nov. 21 through Dr. Bernardo S. Ang of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Davao del Norte PRC will be sending tonight its volunteers Atty. Mylene Baura, Revidor Pereyras and Arnold Nicolas to take the second batch of donations to Ormoc City Chapter of PRC.   

Other donors in Davao del Norte were coursed through donations to Oplan Tabang of the Diocese of Tagum through Father Emerson Luego who already made  two rounds delivery of donations for typhoon victims in Leyte in tie-up with the Diocese of Leyte based in Palo, Leyte.  (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Two-day Cardiovascular Disease Conference opens in Davao City

CITY, Nov 28 (PIA) The two-day-Cardiovascular Disease Conference 2013 commences today at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao City with the participation of the local government units, health authorities and civil society leaders.

Errole Linus Miranda, communication officer of the CVD Project said the conference provides a venue for exchanges of ideas and lessons learned in the development and practical implementation of non-communicable disease intervention as they are applied on the primary health care down to the barangays.

The conference runs until Nov. 29.

He said the first day of the event will discuss topics such as  the Role of the LGU in Primary Health Care Programs; The Multidisciplinary Approach: Roles of Primary Health Care Service Providers; Forging partnerships for CVD Prevention and Control; Policy Gap Analysis: Creating an Environment Conducive to CVD Prevention and Control; Monitoring PHC Programs: How the CVD Program Monitoring ensures availability and quality of services?; and Community-based diabetes management peer support program: Practical approach to diabetes prevention and control.

Miranda said the second day will be brief discussions on Encouraging Lifestyle Change: Policy Recommendations; Structured Patient Education in the Primary Care Setting; Engaging the Civil Society in NCD Prevention and Control; Allocating Resources for Starting and Sustaining a CVD Program; Prevention of Amputations: A vital part of a CVD Program and Successful Healthy Lifestyle Programs in the Philippines: Outstanding Healthy Lifestyle Advocacy Award 2009 and 2011.

He said the CVD Conference Davao 2013 draws heavily on the experiences of Davao City’s CVD Program and highlights the multi-stakeholder approach for the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease.

“The Davao City experience is an example of how governments and relevant stakeholders can tackle the growing problem of NCDs and how health programs can be implemented even with limited resources,” Miranda said.

He said the conference is open to policy makers, health service providers and leaders of civil society groups.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

PRC Announces the Re-Opening of the Registration and Licensing without Examination for Agriculturists

The Professional Regulation Commission – Davao Regional Office announces the re-opening of the application for registration without examination for Agriculturists through the issuance of Board Resolution No.08 Series of 2013, amending for the purpose Board Resolution No.05, Series of 2011 and Section 3 of Board Resolution No.09-A, Series of 2005.

The resolution was issued in response to the numerous appeals of qualified applicants coming from various institutions/organizations who were unable to apply before the deadline set on December 29, 2011.

For inquiries, you may visit the PRC office located at the 2nd Floor of Granland Business Center, R. Castillo St., Agdao, Davao City or call us at (082) 234-0006 and 234-0007. (PRC-Davao)

NGCP pursues Visayas power restoration, energizes Bohol

Line personnel of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) succeeded in energizing the   Ormoc-Maasin 138-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line through an Emergency Restoration System (ERS) tower erection.

The Ormoc-Maasin 138-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line transmits electricity generated in Leyte to Bohol Island.

Based on recent reports, the line was energized at 5:19 PM on November 24, 2013, that also led to the energization of Maasin-Ubay 138-kV line which directly supplies power to Bohol.

Despite inclement weather in the region, NGCP states that restoration activities are on time to meet DOE’s order of bringing power back to Visayas before Christmas time.

Three days before Bohol Island is energized, NGCP completed the restoration of a critical line segment in the Visayas grid. The Marshalling-Tabango 230-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line located in the northern part of Leyte Island was fully restored and energized at 8:53 PM on November 21, Thursday.

The said line, which suffered seven toppled towers, transmits electricity from Cebu to Leyte, and allows the energization of Ormoc Substation which serves Leyte Electric Cooperative V (LEYECO V). With Ormoc Substation’s energization, Ormoc City, among other municipalities, was also energized. In photo: NGCP linemen during an Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structure erection beside a toppled tower of the Marshalling-Tabango 230-kV Line.

NGCP mobilized its resources and manpower to facilitate the restoration of damaged transmission lines and substations in the Visayas area. Based on NGCP's assessment, more than 2,000 structures were affected by the super typhoon.

Around 1,400 line personnel of NGCP, including hired contractors from all over the country, are deployed in the Visayas to focus on bringing back power in the affected provinces.

To facilitate faster restoration, NGCP is also appealing for the public's cooperation, particularly landowners, to allow authorized line personnel to enter and repair the lines traversing their land properties.

NGCP, in coordination with the Department of Energy, National Electrification Administration, and other concerned agencies, committed to bring back the power in the region in time for Christmas. (PR)

PhilHealth Tacloban and Ormoc offices now open to serve; issues policy on fortuitous events

In just two weeks after Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced that its local health insurance offices in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc are now up and running to serve the health insurance needs of members and non-members alike.

PhilHealth fulfilled its promise to open the two leading offices Monday, November 25, after suffering from heavy damage from strong winds and storm surges.

“We are back in operation in these two major cities for the benefit of our members and partners, thanks to our resilient and dedicated team in Region VIII” PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla said.  

PhilHealth earlier assured the public that at least seven of their local health insurance offices and service desks in Southern Leyte, Samar and Biliran are still up and running despite the severe damage and very unusual situation that their employees are in.

“These offices can perform membership registration and verification concerns (without online inquiry due to power outage) and receiving of benefit claims and premium contributions, except for the service desks” Padilla said, adding that members and partners can contact their Yolanda Action Center at (02) 441-7425 to 26 for PhilHealth’s disaster recovery, rehabilitation and support efforts in the area. 

The PhilHealth Chief also said that to institutionalize their response during fortuitous events of such magnitude, PhilHealth has issued a policy that will serve as their template of response to ensure continuing health care benefits during such “acts of God”.

In its Circular 34, s-2013 dated November 15, 2013, PhilHealth will pay claims of members and non-members and accredited and non-accredited hospitals and professionals during such events.

“We will even extend filing period for claims to 120 days from date of discharge, make exemptions to the less than 24-hour confinement rule, and even reimbursement for destroyed claims” Padilla stressed.

The circular also allows for extension of deadline of premium payments and/or existing coverage as prescribed by PhilHealth, among other. (Philhealth) 

Soldiers thank the community support despite calls to oust them from Barangay Elizalde, Maco, Compostela Valley

CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, Nov 27 (PIA) The military thanked the residents of Barangay Elizalde, Maco, Compostela Valley for supporting the peace and development outreach program teams whom progressive groups wanted to drive out of the community during a protest action in November 25.

Colonel Angelito De Leon, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade said only the real residents of Barangay Elizalde can prove the relevance of the soldiers in ushering the services of government to their barangay.

"We thank the residents of the barangay for proving that PDOP teams indeed help. Hopefully, the progressive groups from other places will not attempt to disturb the peaceful living among residents here.  We will stay here to assist the residents” he said.

De Leon appealed to the people not to be misled and used by leaders of progressive groups to join protest actions to drive the soldiers out of their barangay.

He said that in compliance of the directive from the Compostela Valley Provincial Government, the military through the police will file charges against the protest organizers who had no permit and even prompted local residents to join in the r Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Borja, commanding officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion Commander said the presence of the troops in Barangay Elizalde is accepted by the residents.

He said resolution signed by the Barangay Council dated 17 May 2013 was even made requesting the presence of our PDOP teams to assist Brgy Elizalde in its path to economic progress.

“Why don't these progressive groups condemn the presence of the NPA who in reality are the ones bringing danger to the peace loving people,” Borja pointed out.

There were about 50 people who participated in the rally.

However, local residents pointed out that most of the participants were neither from Barangay Elizalde nor from municipality of Maco.

Guillermo Villarosa, a barangay resident said he would prefer to fix the barangay’s vegetable farm than joining the protest action since he is certain that he is truly helping his village.

Another resident who refused to be named affirmed that the presence of the soldiers boosts their confidence to live in their community peacefully

 (1LT VILMA D MOJADO, 1st Communication Information Company Commander, 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion)

LTO 11 welcomes the new ordinance setting the speed limit of all vehicles in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Nov 27 (PIA) The Land Transportation Office welcomes the new directive issued by the city government setting speed limits for all vehicles within the jurisdiction of the city.

Eleanor Calderon, chief for operations of the LTO 11 sees no conflict between the local ordinance and the national law.

She explained that though the national traffic law sets the minimum traffic speed at forty kilometres per hour in highly urbanized areas, the local government unit in the area can still promulgate a law lowering further the speed of vehicles to ensure protection of lives and property.

Calderon said that Republic Act 4136 also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code allows a maximum speed at 80 kilometers on open roads without blind corners, the local government sets it down to 60 kilometers per hour.

“The city government has the liberty to lower it down from 80 to 60 on open roads and from 40 to 30 within the city thoroughfares.  This is indeed a good news for everyone that the city mayor has lowered the speed of land transportation,” she said.

Calderon stressed that though it is not mentioned on the local ordinance, the national law states that speed must be lowered at 20 kilometers per hour when approaching school zones.

She said that in order to effectively enforce the law, traffic enforcers need speed guns to track the pace of vehicles.

Calderon also stressed the need to check on the speedometers of vehicles.

“Unfortunately, there are many public utility vehicles which no longer have speedometers.  They need to install new speedometers so that we can effectively determine if indeed there is a violation, as we when enforce the law using the speed guns,” she said.

Calderon said speed guns must be provided in routes which have speed limits to ascertain the compliance of motorists.

She also reminded motorists to use their headlights at night to avoid accidents.

Calderon said headlights must be switched on thirty minutes before sunset and thirty minutes after sunrise. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

NEDA-XI, C4DNet set advocacy plan for RDP 2014-2016

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) – The National Economic Development Authority in the region is readying a communication and advocacy plan (CAP) for the public dissemination of the updated Davao Regional Development Plan for 2014-2016.

NEDA-11 has partnered with the Communication for Development Network (C4DNet) in crafting a plan through the recently held two-day Communication and Advocacy Planning Workshop on the Updated RDP which was approved by the Regional Development Council-11 last week.

NEDA-11 regional director Ma. Lourdes Lim said the enhanced CAP outlines advocacy activities and appropriate communication strategies, as well as core messages for advocating the RDP which is in line with the Philippine Development Plan. 

The CAP involves three phases of implementation to start off with building public awareness of the mid-term achievements of the RDP which will be done during the first half of 2014.

The second phase to be undertaken on the second half of 2014 will require activities aiming at increasing knowledge and shaping up attitudes and behavior among stakeholders for effective execution of the updated RDP’s policies and programs.

The advocacy plan’s 3rd phase intends to communicate updated RDP’s results and outcomes to sustain motivation for continuity. Activities for this phase will be carried out in 2015.

The CAP activities to include roadshows/caravans and media mileage will be pursued next year after the launching of the Updated RDP on December 13. 

Lim raised the need to engage the C4DNet in carrying out the CAP activities to bring public awareness and appreciation of the enhanced RDP for the next three years, and to involve stakeholders in the implementation of the plan.

The C4DNet is RDC-11’s communication and advocacy arm which is composed of information officers of NEDA-11, national line government agencies and provincial/city local government units.

“We have to create synergy so that our key messages will not be conflicting,” Lim told the C4DNet officers and members during the CAP workshop.

She said “advocacy activities shall be undertaken to the extent possible in order to reach our stakeholders at the local level.”

“Communication has to take place before people can get fully involved. People need to be aware, gain knowledge of, appreciate and believe, and ultimately support or do what is written in the plan. In other words, we want people to own—or invest in—the plan to attain inclusive growth,” she further stated.

During the CAP workshop, Philippine Information Agency-11 regional director Efren F. Elbanbuena provided vital inputs on “Planning a Communication Campaign,” as he shared experiences and best practices in delivering government messages to the public.

Professor Ma. Teresa Escano of the University of the Philippines Mindanao College of Humanities discussed the processes and dynamics of communication planning, particularly on the ROPE (Research, Objectives, Programming, and Evaluation) process, which ultimately leads to the crafting of a Communication Plan. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon with reports from NEDA-11)

EASTMINCOM soldiers continue reconstructing houses in Leyte

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 26 – The soldier-carpenters of the EASTMINCOM’s Joint task Force “Tambayayong II” (JTFT II) continue to do their humanitarian and reconstruction works in typhoon Yolanda stricken-areas in Leyte.

The people in Javier, San Isidro, Albuera, Ormoc, Baybay and Abuyog of the same province praised the soldiers who assisted in the repair and reconstruction of their houses.

The same soldiers provided transportation assistance, distribution of relief goods, medical assistance, including the repair of a hospital in Abuyog General Hospital in partnership with the Rescue South African contingent.   

Medical volunteers from the Kiwanis International Philippine-South District Division 7 & 8 and the Davao Medical School Foundation Inc. also joined the soldiers in providing medical assistance in the said areas. 

The rehabilitation efforts by the EASTMINCOM also facilitated the delivery of 70,426 family food packs donated by the people of Davao to Tacloban and Ormoc cities as the relief operations hubs. Used clothing from different donors were also delivered.

To sustain the reconstruction efforts of JTFT II in Leyte, EASTMINCOM is accepting donations of construction materials that will be used to repair houses devastated by typhoon Yolanda.

It can be recalled that EASTMINCOM also organized JTFT I after the onslaught of typhoon Pablo where more than 700 houses were repaired in a span of two months in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Province.

EASTMINCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III lauded the soldier-carpenters of JTFT II under Col. Arnold Fernandez for their initial accomplishments.

“Even a kilo of nails or a piece of corrugated GI sheet would go a long way in helping homeless families in the typhoon affected areas,” Lt. Gen. Cruz said. (Eastmincom)   

DavNor bats for total human dev’t through sports

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 26, 2013 – The province of Davao del Norte harnesses the power of sports in tandem with education to attain holistic development among the youth.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the provincial government is employing sports as the ultimate vehicle for achieving total human development.

Del Rosario said sports goes hand in hand with education, which is among the priority components of his centerpiece human-centered P.E.O.P.L.E. agenda. 

He revealed this has inspired his administration to establish the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC), to realize excellence in sports and turn the province into the sports capital of the region. 

“We long to develop our human capital through education. We are also employing sports towards the same end,” he said at the opening of the 2013 Davao del Norte Division Meet on Monday.

Over a thousand coaches, officials and athletes joined the kick off ceremony of the week-long competition at the DNSTC.

Hostilities will begin on Tuesday to select team heroes who will represent the province in the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association Meet (DAVRAA) and eventually the Palarong Pambansa.

During their meeting last September, members of the DAVRAA Board voted to bring the DAVRAA meet back to Davao del Norte early next year.

Davao del Norte first hosted the regional meet last February in its new world-class sports facility.

The province is fresh from facilitating the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifier last August.

It is also confident that it could secure the right to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2015, among other big-ticket sporting events. (DavNor PGO Info Division/Noel Baguio)

DavNor to help rebuild Yolanda-hit areas

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 26 – The provincial government and the various local government units of Davao del Norte will pool their resources together to help in reconstructing areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

The province and the League of Cities/Municipalities in the Philippines-Davao del Norte Chapter resolved to chip in some amount to put up shelters for survivors, in addition to sending more relief assistance to the ravaged areas.

This is in response to the call of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario for more donations from the LGUs intended for rebuilding efforts.

During the LCP/LMP-DavNor meeting at the Tahanan ng Lalawigan last Friday, the mayors also settled to augment the recovery contingent that the province is sending to Leyte this week.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council will be meeting this Monday to map out the details of the relief and recovery aid that will be dispatched.

The provincial officials and employees have individually given their cash donations for the survivors in Tacloban City. As of Friday, partial tally of their contributions have already reached P244,750.

It can be recalled that the provincial government and the Diocese of Tagum collaborated to bring relief assistance to Leyte last November 12, 2013.

The province has also earlier sent P1-million check to the provincial government of Bohol as aid for the victims of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October. (DavNor PGO Info Division/Noel Baguio)

More DSWD-XI workers deployed in regions 7, 8

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 26 – Social Welfare Department Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon sent off Sunday another 21 more DSWD workers for Tacloban and Cebu.

“We are deploying 11 in Cebu and 10 in Tacloban. This is going to be our first batch for Cebu and second batch for Tacloban. We also deployed 10 in Ormoc while 14 were sent to Tacloban second week of November,” Razon said.

She bared that a total of 45 DSWD-XI personnel have already been deployed to help out in the management and coordination of evacuation centers and other transition shelters.

She said they will also assist in establishing women- and child-friendly spaces and in the distribution of relief goods, adding that one worker will help manage the One-Stop-Shop at Cebu airport and seaport to facilitate duty-free entry of international donations.

Some 15 DSW-XI workers have also served as escorts of cargo trucks delivering relief goods in Region 8, she added.

Further, over 70,000 family food packs have been delivered to Region 8 by DSWD XI.

Each family food pack contains 6 kilos rice, 4 cans sardines, 4 cans corned beef / beef loaf, 8 pouches noodles and 8 sachets 3-in-1 coffee.

Along with the food packs, also sent were 50,000 pieces half-liter bottled water. Donations from private citizens and organizations have also been sent to Region 8 through DSWD.

Meanwhile, more than 6,000 volunteers have signed up to help out DSWD personnel sort out, repack, pile and haul relief goods for families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Volunteers come from various schools, youth organizations, private companies, religious groups, government agencies, local government units, non-government and civic groups.

Presently, DSWD-XI continues to welcome donations at the inter-agency relief operations center at DPWH Depot, Panacan.

Cash donations may be deposited in the DSWD XI Regular Trust Fund with DBP Account No. 0915-010155-030 or donors may go directly to the DSWD XI Cashier’s Office at R. Magsaysay Ave., Davao City.More details may be obtained by calling DSWD Office at telephone nos. [082] 2271964 and 2278746, e-mailing DSWD at  fo11@dswd.gov.ph , or visiting the DSWD 11 webite at www.fo11.dswd.gov.ph.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Region 8 transferring to Region XI are being processed and provided with psycho-social support by the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) and DSWD.

Sixty 911 volunteers who have returned to Davao after deployment in Region 8 were also provided with Critical Incidence Stress Debriefing (CISD) by CSSDO, Philippine Mental Health Association and DSWD.  (DSWD-XI/Carmela Cadigal-Duron)

BPO company to absorb call center agents from DavNor, Comval, DavOr

TAGUM CITY,  Davao del Norte, Nov. 26 (PIA) – One of the leading call centers in the country now has set up a recruitment office in Tagum City as the focal point of hiring applicants from the provinces of Davao del  Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Miguel Antonio Lorenzo,  Sutherland Global Services assistant vice president for service delivery said his company can absorb as many as 200 to 300 applicants in a month  to supply the still growing need for business process outsourcing services in the international market.

Lorenzo graced the opening on November 14, 2013  of Sutherland Global Services Tagum City  office located at J. Abad Santos St., serving as the  company’s recruitment and training center for those hired from Tagum City, Davao del Norte and nearby areas.

In his talk with the media, he said Sutherland is willing to extend  training  to hone basic English skills of students who would be interested to land in call center job.

The company also looked into the need to wage information campaign about the nature of call center work so interested applicants  and their families would  be able to understand  and be able to adjust to night shift work of BPO.

Meanwhile, Katherine Lou  Arnilla, Tagum City Sutherland office recruitment specialist, revealed the company hired on the spot 11 applicants on inauguration day  and that seven more applications were on process for employment.

Sutherland will be giving P10,000 on top of the monthly salary to those hired within the month of November, this year.

When deployed to Davao City BPO center, the company will shoulder  for two months their dorm accommodation including their daily meals.

“That is relocation package  that the company is giving for them to find time to look for a place they can stay away from their homes, “ Arnilla said.  (PIA-XI/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)

Eight trucks to deliver P5 M relief assistance from Davao del Norte

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Nov. 25 (PIA) – Oplan Tabang of the  Diocese of Tagum  will be bringing about P5 million worth of relief assistance loaded in eight trucks to Palo, Leyte  to leave at 11:00 tonight.

In an interview, Father Emerson L. Luego serving as action officer of Oplan Tabang said  the relief goods of food, clothing, tarps for  tents,  mosquito nets and other immediate needs of Typhoon Yolanda victims, came from local government units (LGUs), private individuals, companies and institutions in Davao del Norte.

Also loaded up in the eight-truck caravan of Oplan Tabang delivery were relief goods from parishes in the cities of Mati (Davao Oriental), Davao and Digos (Davao del Sur), he said.

Luego revealed the assistance of the Provincial government of Davao del Norte which deployed three trucks to transport the loads of relief assistance. 

The city government of Panabo and Tagum also sent out their trucks while Luego used three personal vehicles to haul and deliver the donations directly to  the command center of the Diocese of Leyte in Palo.

Seven personnel of the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office (DNPPO) and  five from the 60th Infantry Battalion will secure the transport of  such relief assistance which Luego expected to arrive in Palo, Leyte about tomorrow night.

Tonight’s delivery of relief assistance from Davao del Norte will be the second round as Oplan Tabang already made its first on Nov. 12, using three dump-trucks of Davao del Norte provincial government.

During  the meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC),  Luego reported  that Diocese of Tagum  was the first to deliver and distribute relief assistance to typhoon Yolanda victims in Palo, Leyte.

Through Oplan Tabang, some three truck-loads of relief assistance were hauled to Palo, Leyte on Nov. 12 from donors in Davao del Norte and other areas covered under the Diocese of Tagum.

Luego turned over P200,000 cash donations  from donors in Tagum Diocese areas  to Palo, Leyte Parish.

On the other hand, Luego suggested to put together  and label as “One Davao del Norte” the assistance in-cash and in-kind,  for the relief and rehabilitation of typhoon Yolanda-affected areas.

Such concept was adopted by the League of Municipalities and Cities in the Philippines-Davao del Norte Chapter which will be putting up funds for a housing-assistance projects for calamity-affected Filipinos not only in Leyte and in Samar, he said. (PIA-11/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)