Davao del Norte bullish in 2014 BP hostilities

BACOLOD CITY, January 30, 2014 (PIA) – The Davao del Norte delegation arrived here Tuesday morning for the opening of the 2014 Batang Pinoy National Championship, oozing with much optimism that they will bring home many of the prized medals in the competition.

The national grassroots sporting event kicked off at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon at the Bacolod City Public Plaza, with some 2,500 participants coming from the various local government units from the regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Provincial Sports Coordinator Giovanni Gulanes, who heads the contingent, said the DavNor team is ready to take on worthy opponents from around the country.

He said he is confident the 84 strong delegation will register a strong showing in lawn tennis, athletics, dancesports, karatedo, and volleyball, among other events of the BP national finals for children 15 and below.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is rooting for his team, which landed the third spot in the overall medal tally during the recent Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifier held at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City last August 2013.

“Good luck and bring home the bacon,” the governor said in a text message sent to Gulanes.(Noel Baguio-DavNor PIO)

Governance reforms strengthen agri projects under $3M AusAID grant

Davao City, January 30, 2014 (PIA) – To better serve rural communities with critical infrastructure projects, governance reforms must be strengthened at the local government and project implementation level.

Under the US$ 3-million grant by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), activities that will build local capacities in project implementation is seen to institute governance reforms in implementing agriculture projects under the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

“Instituting governance reforms is important in improving the delivery of agriculture projects and enable a stronger investment climate in the countryside,” MRDP Program Director Lealyn Ramos said.

“It will also improve revenue and accountability mechanisms that will enable the LGUs to prioritize delivery of agricultural projects and spur development in the countryside,” she added.

Capacity building activities in the form of trainings and technical assistance (TA) have been conducted with the aim of enhancing the delivery of agriculture services and productivity through value chain.

At the project implementation level, the TA continues to strengthen the planning and management process for local subproject investments ensuring that projects adhere strictly to compliance measures and procurement processes.

Among the trainings conducted under the grant include financial management and procurement course for LGUs aimed at improving the bidding process of rural infrastructure projects. Focus was also given on management of environmental resource and in sustaining livelihood projects.

Training on Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES), which aims to ensure that people and the environment are not adversely affected by the MRDP projects, have been conducted for LGUs particularly the Program Planning, Monitoring and Implementing Units (PPMIUs), a mechanism introduced by the MRDP to improve project implementation capabilities at the local level.

The recent AusAID evaluation report on the grant reported that LGUs need to improve existing investment codes and policy guidelines in implementing projects.

There is also a need for more capacity building activities and support to LGUs to fully take advantage of public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

To enhance agricultural services and productivity, trainings and mentoring on Value Chain Analysis (VCA) will be conducted for LGUs as well as on product development and value-adding schemes for agri-fishery products.

“Capability building activities are critical in ensuring that the DA and the LGUs effectively deliver services and fulfill the project requirements in a timely manner and competent quality thereby increasing the project’s sustainability,” Ramos said.

Institutional governance reform (IGR) is one of the components under the second phase of MRDP. The program implements rural infrastructure and agricultural productivity enhancement projects and natural resource management interventions.

The Program has also formed various Community-based Monitoring Evaluation Group (CBMEG) to bolster community involvement in the implementation of projects strengthen community ownership and increase project accountability. Through the 1,125 CBMEGs formed in various barangays in six regions covered by the Program, it is aimed that project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is mainstreamed at the community level.   

In 2011, the Program launched geotagging as a transparency measure which allows the capturing of photographs of projects and uploading it and other relevant information to Google Earth to enhance the monitoring and supervision of projects.

MRDP also strengthened the information network of DA and LGUs through various trainings. The Program also led in the documentation of success stories to highlight the change process in the project implementation that would help in replicating best practices in communities served by the project. (Jay Rosas/DA-MRDP)

Davao del Norte stronger after 2013 tempest

DAVAO DEL NORTE, January 30, 2014 (PIA) – The province of Davao del Norte emerged sturdier after successfully getting over the economic and climatic high winds of 2013. 

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the province managed to perform well even as it reeled from the effects of Super Typhoon Pablo late in 2012 and the series of low pressure areas in the first quarter of last year.

The Governor recalled the province, which literally wallowed in floodwaters, incurred some P4.6 billion losses in agriculture and infrastructures in the aftermath of Pablo alone.

Yet, del Rosario said external funding, such as those coming from the national government and the official development assistance (ODA), bolstered up the P905-million budget of the province last year bankroll.

He added the economic resilience of the Dabaonons and the private sector also fueled the financial dexterity of the province, bankrolling the P.E.O.P.L.E. development thrust of the governor.

“The economic resilience of our people and the private sector has never been daunted despite the natural calamities,” he said, during Capitol’s recent 2013 Operations Review and Planning session for 2014.

Among the significant accomplishments of the province is the increase in the collection of local taxes, fees and charges.

Provincial Accountant Serlinda Atake said the province piled up a 13.21 percent increase in real property taxes in the amount of P2.1 million, as well as, 6.53 percent gain in other local sources, amounting to P2.6 million.

The three provincial hospitals further attained a combined income of 48.5 million, posting a P22.5 million increase from 2012.

Del Rosario said the series of calamities last year has “opened our eyes to the realities of climate change”.

The Governor then fused the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Provincial Climate Change Adaptation Council (PCCAC), in order to effectively coordinate all efforts to reduce the vulnerability and increase the resilience of the Dabaonons.

To start with, the province launched last December the expanded Oplan A.N.D.A.M. (Advocacy for Natural Disaster Awareness and Management) that introduces simple technologies for communities to adapt to the changing climate, and reduce their risks to natural catastrophes.

he Climate Change Academy of the province, which is designed to grant a research fund for a study on the effects of climate change in local ecosystem from “reefs to ridges.” (Noel Baguio-DavNor PIO)

IGACOS enacts anti-smoking ordinance

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, January 30, 2014 (PIA) - The City government here enforced the City Ordinance No. 2013-223 known as the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking of the Island Garden City of Samal on January 27.

This new ordinance amended the  ordinance no. 2012-216, making it more comprehensive which accordingly adopt the provisions stated in the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 17 and the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2009-0010 mandating a 100% Smoke-Free Environment and Smoking Prohibition Policy within areas encompassing government premises.

The  newly declared policy prohibits smoking in eating places such as eateries, carenderias, restaurants, fastfoods, snack bars and bakeshops; accommodation and entertainment establishments such as beach and inland resorts, hotels, inns, lodging and boarding houses, movie theatres, videoke bars, casinos, bars, clubs and restobars;transport services; retail shops and boutiques; medical facilities, religious institutions, schools in all level, gasoline station and other public places and structures. 

However, any person can smoke only in area duly designated by the management as smoking area , within the jurisdiction of Island Garden City of Samal.

In an interview, City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan commended the laudable ordinance  as it promotes and safeguard the health and welfare of our citizens.  “This is a  very good and timely ordinance because tobaccos  now are very expensive, which worsen poverty of poor people and many wealthy and famous   people died of lung cancer  as a result of smoking more so the poor individuals.”

Antalan encouraged healthy lifestyle just as he encouraged city employees to plant and eat chemical-free vegetables, to go into sports  and have regular exercises.  He said the ordinance was timely for authorities to control and abolish smoking so that  our citizens will be happy, strong and physically fit.

Likewise, City Vice Mayor Al David Uy announced the enforcement of the anti-smoking ordinance  during the Monday convocation of the city officials and employees last Monday, January 27, encouraging the employees to follow the city ordinance.

“Ordinansa man kini so  kinahanglan magbantay gyud nga dili ma-violate ang atong anti-smoking ordinance”(This is an ordinance, so let’s make sure that we will not violate our anti-smoking ordinance), City Mayor Al David Uy said.

City Health Officer Dennis Carlos Flores revealed second hand smoke are more dangerous thus he called all smokers to carry out their habit in designated areas and spare the non-smoking people from its deadly effects.   

Flores reiterated the pronouncement made by Vice Mayor Uy during the Monday convocation that is to abide with the law or face the consequences.

The City Health Office and City Engineering Office identified the designated areas in the City Hall for smokers so  as  to protect non-smokers from the pernicious effects of tobacco smoke.

Violators of the ordinance will face the following penalties:  First Offense – Fine of P1,000.00; Second Offense – P2,000.00; Third Offense –Fine of P3,000 or imprisonment for not less than three (3) days but not more than six  (6) days or both, Fourth Offense – fine of Four thousand (P4,000.00) Pesos or imprisonment of not less than three months, but not more than six (6) months or both; Fifth and succeeding Offenses- Maximum penalty of Five thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than one (1) year or both at the discretion of the court. The city government may order the closure of a public place that violates this ordinance. (Melrose samal cio)

All set for DAVRAA '14

DAVAO DEL NORTE, January 30, 2014 (PIA) – All roads again lead to Davao del Norte as the province will be hosting once more the 2014 Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) on February 9-12, 2014.

Over 5,000 athletes, coaches and officials from six cities and four provinces in the Davao Region are expected to attend the four-day spectacle at the modern Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Mankilam, Tagum City.

Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio and OIC-Provincial Administrator Norma Lumain led the Executive Committee meeting on Monday to work out on the working, security transportation, medical and other important details of the games.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario earlier said the province will leave no stones unturned in ensuring the security of all the participants and visitors.   

It can be recalled that Davao del Norte’s spanking sports complex first hosted the DAVRAA on February last year.

The facility again saw action during the Mindanao Batang Pinoy Qualifying Games that followed on August, 2013.

Davao del Norte won the right to once again host the 2014 DAVRAA during the DAVRAA Board meeting last September.

Del Rosario said the state-of-the-art sports facility was a major factor why the DAVRAA Board opted to bring the regional meet back to the province.

He noted the DAVRAA Board was impressed by the province's first hosting of the competitions.

Hostilities will yet again resume at the facility in the coming month of April this year with the holding of the National Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) championships.

The province hopes to up the ante as it is optimistic about the prospect of hosting the 2015 Palarong Pambansa.(Noel Baguio-DavNor PIO)

LGU Panabo bags 3rd in Top Performing CHU

PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE January 30, 2014 (PIA) –The City Government of Panabo through the City Health Office (CHO) received recognition for being the 3rd Top Performing City Health Unit (CHU) in the province of Davao del Norte during the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation for Equity and Effectiveness ( ME3) Conference and Recognition to Local Government Unit (LGU) Partners last January 17, 2014 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

The purpose of the conference is to provide a venue to review the health programs of the different LGU and improve the strategy of delivery of its health care services. One of the highlights during the conference was the giving of awards to LGU’s based on the scorecards released by the Department of Health which implemented the health programs that will address the concerns of their constituent.

This initiative was meant to recognize the LGU’s contribution in providing quality health services to the people.

Furthermore health workers are now provided with information and breakthroughs concerning common diseases being encountered by the Panaboans.

According to City Health Officer Dr. Emelda T. Bendijo that the program is necessary to provide a unified approach in dealing with the health problems of the people. “The CHO shall continue to provide whatever needs in protecting the health of our residents,” said by Dra. Bendijo.

To date, CHO is providing an affordable and free access to health care as one of the strategies in alleviating poverty in the city. The Emergency Clinic and Safe Birthing Facility are fully operational and have already served a great number of patients especially to the underprivileged constituents.(Mark Anthony G. Gellor – CIO Panabo)

DavNor signs SEEPS cooperation with Bulacan

DAVAO DEL NORTE, January 30, 2014 (PIA) - The provincial government of Davao del Norte entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the province of Bulacan for the establishment of the Davao del Norte Socio-Economic and Ecological Profiling (SEEP) system that integrates the disaster risk reduction-climate change adaptation (DRR-CCA) concept.

DavNor Governor Rodolfo del Rosario,  Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando signed the MOA recently at the Provincial Capitol of Bulacan.

The SEEP system is an upgrade of the socio-economic profile as basic tool of the local government units in the preparation of their local development plans. 

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Engr. Josie Jean Rabanos said the province is installing the SEEPS in order to help facilitate the updating of its Provincial Development Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP), specifically the Hazard Profile that will be integrated in the DRR-CCA concept in the plan.

The system is also valuable in the monitoring of programs and projects of the provincial government.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario thanked the provincial government of Bulacan for its generosity in sharing their SEEPS to the province.

Capitol executives learned of and appreciated the benefit of using the process during their benchmarking activity in Bulacan last July 2013, which was sponsored by the AusAID-funded Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF).

Under the MOA, Bulacan will provide free installation, training and utilization of the SEEPS to the provincial government of Davao del Norte, including the various cities and municipalities of the province.(Noel Baguio-PIO DavNor)

U.S. Ambassador visits Compostela town

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, January 30, 2014 (PIA) ----U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg visited the Municipality of Compostela today, January 24, 2014 to turn over the newly constructed Compostela Market Buildings and Trading Center to the Local Government Unit (LGU) through the provincial government.

Ambassador Goldberg also visited the newly rehabilitated Compostela Bridge.

These projects were constructed under the Typhoon Pablo Disaster Recovery Assistance Project of the USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao-3 (GEM-3) Program.

Attending the turn-over ceremony were representatives from the United States Government, H.E. Philip S. Goldberg-U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele, and Sec. Luwalhati Antonino- MinDA Chairperson represented by Mr. Romeo Montenegro-Director for Investment Promotion & Public Affairs Office.

Gracing the occasion also were Governor Arturo T. Uy, Mayor Lima P. Bolo  of Compostela, provincial and municipal officials, and GEM Program Deputy Chief Carlos C. Tan.

According to Mr. Tan, in response to the Typhoon Pablo disaster, USAID provided assistance for the reconstruction of municipal infrastructure projects and supported the revitalization of local economic activities.  Designed to be more robust and sturdier than the normal design structures, these infrastructure projects are expected to withstand flooding and higher wind velocity, making them functional even during extreme weather conditions (also as evacuation facilities when necessary).  In addition to promoting economic growth, these infrastructure facilities also demonstrate the continuing commitment of both the Philippine and U.S.

Government to fostering peace and development in Mindanao.

He added, USAID’s GEM Program constructed a Trading Center building in the public market to be used as a wholesale trading post or a “bagsakan” for agricultural products. 

The design safety factors are higher than the current standards for the area were adopted to make the structures more robust. The building floor level was elevated about 0.7 m above the existing ground.

The Compostela Market Buildings acquired a construction cost of P3.9 Million or about US $90,700. While the Compostela Bridge Rehabilitation costed P2.9 Million or about US $67,400.

H.E. Philip S. Goldberg expressed how happy he is to be there during the ceremonial turn-over saying, “I am happy to be here…all faces are smiling. All I can say is ”Mabuhay tayong lahat.”

Governor Uy in his response said, “We are so happy and overwhelmed. It means so much to us. Thank you very much.”

The public market in Poblacion Compostela is the center of economic activity in the municipality. Various products from the barangay and nearby areas are regularly brought to the Poblacion for trading. (Rey M. Antibo, IDS Comval)

DavNor launches trailblazer health delivery system

TAGUM CITY – The province of Davao del Norte continues to lead the way in providing better quality health care by pioneering undertakings that allow constituents to enjoy optimal and cost-efficient services at the appropriate levels.

Provincial and local officials, and health professionals launched the maternal newborn child health and nutrition (MNCHN) Service Delivery Network (SDN), Health Referral System (HRS) and the Operationalization Manual for the San Isidro, Kapalong, Asuncion and Talaingod (SIKAT) health development cluster (HDC).

The three other HDCs in the province are expected to launch their respective health referral systems within the year.

Dr. Lady Jedfeliz Castillo-Molleno, Area Manager of the Private Sector Mobilization for Family Health Project (PRISM)-2 said Davao del Norte is the first province in Mindanao to launch the initiatives.

With the creation of the service delivery network, Molleno said the different level of care and services of all the public and private health facilities in the province were verified.

The health referral manual is the protocol by which health frontliners know where to refer clients that need special and advance medical care.

“The community will now know where the facilities are exactly located and what are the specific services available, among other important information,” she said.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Agapito Hornido said the manual serves as guide for health care providers to ensure effective and efficient delivery of optimum health services, in line with the PEOPLE development strategy of Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario.

He added the system ensures that constituents receive the best possible care closest to their homes, considering the economic factors and physical barriers that affect the delivery of health services in the province.

It also helps facilitate the cost-effective use of primary health care services and decongestion of hospitals in the province.

Hornido bared the province first implemented the local referral system in 2003. But it needed to be revised since glitches were noted, particularly with the creation of the municipality of San Isidro in 2004 and the succeeding installation of new local officials and the turn over of health workers in all the LGUs of SIKAT cluster.

USAID-funded PRISM-2 provided the technical support, particularly the training facility for the health care providers. (Noel Baguio-DavNor PIO)

LPA devastated village receives aid

MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL, January 30, 2014 (PIA) — After losing everything they had to a massive flashflood at the height of the Low Pressure Area that recently hit the province, all 194 affected families in Barangay Marayag, Lupon received Tuesday, January 21 relief goods courtesy of various donors.

The village of Marayag in Lupon town was one of the badly devastated areas in the province. Based on the report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 194 houses were totally washed out by a flashflood that carried huge rocks and debris.

Residents, who are now being housed in their relative’s homes in the area, said they are indeed very thankful for the relief that came.

Aside from food packs provided by the DSWD that contains 6 kilos rice, 6 cans sardines and 10 pieces noodles and coffee, the residents also received non-food aid, courtesy of the PLDT-Smart and Talk and Text foundation that provided laminated sacks, used clothing, ladle, cauldron, and bottled water.

Meanwhile, expressing her sympathies to the devastation in the province, Senator Cynthia Villar also sent boxes of blankets for the affected residents.               

Both the PLDT-Smart Foundation and Sen. Villar have been giving their support to the Building Back             Better Program of the province after it was devastated by typhoon Pablo in 2012.

Aside from school buildings and relief, the PLDT-Smart Foundation has donated around 1,000 housing units for the victims of typhoon Pablo across the three Pablo-hit towns, while Senator Cynthia Villar sponsored 50 shelter units in Cateel and provided aid for farmers.

Elated by the support the province is getting, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon thanked both the PLDT-Smart Foundation and Sen. Cynthia Villar who immediately came to the province aid. “I really would like to thank them for always being there whenever the province needed them,” she said. (By Karen Lou Deloso PIO DAVOR)

DavOr Guv pushes to save Mindanao’s largest irrigation project

DAVAO CITY, January 30, 2014 (PIA)— Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon  remains determined to pursue the completion of Mindanao’s largest irrigation system development—the Cateel Irrigation Project (CIP), amidst being hit by two major calamities that halted its construction.

In a meeting Friday, January 24, with teams from the Provincial Engineering Office, Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) under the Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), Governor Malanyaon said that she is fixed and resolved to see the project through.

“I am holding on and I am filled with so much faith and optimism that we will accomplish this novel project” she said.

Both the Super typhoon Pablo in 2012 and the recent heavy flooding and landslides led by the Low Pressure Area have created massive damage not only to agriculture and infrastructures but as well as the multi-million irrigation system, thus, causing a heavy blow on the province’s already booming development milestones.

Based on reports from the CIP technical team, the estimated cost of damage to the irrigation project was valued at more than P43 million or 24.39% of the total contract cost, which includes concrete works, boulder riprap, earthworks and diversion and care of the river. 

The week-long downpour, said expert engineers, had caused the base of the cofferdam to scour while the heavy flooding totally submerged the structure, causing it to be totally washed away.

Engr. Ruel Dumadag, Assistant Provincial Engineer explains that the rapid inundation was due to the absence of the forests that used to serve as its watershed system.  “The trees, which were totally wiped out at the typhoon Pablo onslaught led to the lack of water seepage. With no proper seepage coupled with the massive debris have contributed to the huge volume of water displacement, which then resulted to the heavy flooding,” he said.

Engr. Arnold Rosete, Technical Assistant of the NIA added that Davao Oriental being situated downstream serves as the ‘catchment area’ of large volumes of water coming from nearby provinces such as Compostela Valley, which is connected towards the mountain ridges of Cateel.

This week, the CIP team is set for a meeting together with the Program Support Office of the MRDP to discuss the province’s proposed catch up plan to extend the project’s timeline.

Touted to be the biggest single project under the MRDP all over Mindanao, the CIP sets to provide sustainable irrigation water to approximately1, 600 hectares of suitable rice lands, promising a hundred percent rice sufficiency level for the entire province.

Governor Malanyaon said she believes the Cateel Irrigation project will create many opportunities that could significantly generate good income like from warehousing, rice milling, urban services and many others.

This P252 Million allotted budget for the CIP is being sourced out from the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), the World Bank and counterpart from the Provincial Government.

“Personally, I wanted to finish this project because we have already placed huge investments while the expected return is so promising especially to our people,” she added. (By Karen Lou Deloso)

IGaCoS plans for new City Hall

DAVAO CITY- The Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) is intent of pursuing the building of a new City Hall.

This according to City Administrator Cleto Gales Jr. during his guesting at Marco Polo Davao’s Club 888 Media Forum held today (Jan. 29).

Gales said that City Mayor Aniano Antalan is including it in his priority programs for 2014-2016.

“We are already 16 years old yet we have no City Hall yet.” Gales added.

The current City Hall is actually the old municipal hall of Samal located in Penaplata. The City was not able to construct a new city hall after it was created in 1998. IGaCos was created by virtue of  Republic Act 8471 which merged the municipalities of Babak, Samal  and Kaputian .

Gales said this is the right time for IGaCoS to have a city hall noting that many smaller cities and municipalities across Mindanao were able to build new city or municipal halls.

He said that city’s landbanking program they  were able to acquire a hilltop property just 700 meters away from the current City Hall. Gales said he cannot yet ascertain the budget of the proposed city hall as it is still in the planning stages. (PIA/RG Alama)

DTI-Davao announces recall of Medela AG steam sterilizer

 CITY, Jan. 29 – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region is informing the public about the recall of B-Well Steam Steriliser, a product of Medela AG.

Through its lawyers, Medela AG, a manufacturer of advanced breast pumps and medical vacuum technology, told the agency’s head office of their client’s product recall of the B-Well Steam Steriliser, an electronic product for steam sterilization intended for home use.

Based on the memorandum issued by DTI-Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Group Officer-in-Charge Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba to the agency’s regional offices, the voluntary recall was based on the company’s discovery that “moisture may enter the electronics or the power cable at the connection between the cable and the device which may cause a short circuit or a leakage current that may pose potential risk of fire, burning or electric shock”.

The company said the product affected by this voluntary field measure can be identified by the following article numbers: 008.0100; 008.0101; 008.0102; 008.0103; 008.0104; 008.0121; and 008.0287.

Consumers who have bought the said product with the identified article numbers are encouraged by the company to visit the website www.medela.com/b-well or send an e-mail to b-well@medela.ch.

DTI-Davao Region officer-in-charge Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said consumers who have knowledge about distributors who are still selling said product to the local market may coordinate with any DTI office near them.

“We are asking for the cooperation of the public so that we can make the necessary steps. It has always been our mandate to continuously protect the consumers that’s why we are asking for your cooperation,” she said.

In Davao City, consumers may contact the DTI-Davao City Field Office at 224-0511 local 201 or the Regional Office at 224-0511 local 411. (DTI-11/JenMendoza)

Israel business group eyes tech assistance for DavSur

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Jan. 29 (PIA) – The technical staff from the Tahal Group based in Israel arrived here on Monday to conduct ocular visit in some areas of the province that need technology assistance.

This, after officials from Israel and the provincial local government have explored talks during the previous visits, of the possibilities of identifying areas that need to be developed and should be given technology assistance.

The technical staff, Sigal Oz and Dov Skiba, met with the local government officials in a briefing at the provincial capitol on January 27.

Oz and Skiba are agricultural developers of Larisa Shlafer Water Treatment of Tahal Group of Israel.

After the briefing, the Israeli visitors went to Magsaysay town where they were oriented of the agricultural programs and practices of the said municipality.     

Magsaysay Mayor Arthur Davin shared his view of having adopted the organic farming which produces better yield compared to inorganic farming.

Davin cited the Magrice, which is being locally, produced has a competitive edge as to quality that can be exported to other countries.

Should budget warrants, the mayor said that they intend to develop the upland area for rice production.

From Magsaysay, the group proceeded to Hedcor Power Plant in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz to check the technical aspects of the hydroelectric power plant.

It was for a study on water bulk which could be processed and be distributed in the local market for public consumption.

This could be made possible when the Digos City Water District gives positive response to the proposal which is also in consonance with the national government's directive on public-private-partnership.

The business delegation is expected to be back together with the technical staff to possibly come up with a memorandum of agreement with the concerned agencies and with the provincial government of Davao del Sur headed by Governor Claude Bautista as the brainchild of this remarkably new and laudable project.

The Israeli delegation first visited Davao del Sur on December 4, 2013, and returned to the province last January 14, 2014. (PLGU-Davao del Sur/Nilda S. Aniñon)

Fitness program launched for SMO, TMO officers

By: Tagum City Information Office

 CITY OF TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE—Personnel of the City Government’s Security Management Office and the Traffic Management Office, respectively, launched its year-week fitness program aimed at keeping the city’s civilian agents of authority physically fit.

Mayor Allan L. Rellon led in the launching over the weekend, telling SMO and TMO officers that this program is to keep them fit for work especially that their nature of job requires agility and being healthy.

Aside from them, members of the organic team of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office are also enjoined to participate in the said fitness program, which includes running, jogging or walking around the premises of the New City Hall in Barangay Apokon.

“We want to make running and jogging a way of life in Tagum,” the mayor said.

Schedule for the program is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 5 to 6 in the morning. All of the participants will be given a log card for them to personally record the distance they ran during their session, which will be computed at the end of the year.

The officer who ran the longest distance will be awarded by the local chief executive.

Aside from this, their record will also serve as a guide for upgrading and the renewal of their contracts, the mayor bared.

On the other hand, the local government also launched its year-long running program for all Tagumeños dubbed as “The Longest Run” where runners are also encouraged to keep a personal log of their running regimen and the individual who will garner the longest distance by year’s end will be awarded. (Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum)

DSWD sends 62K food packs to ‘Agaton’-affected families

DAVAO City  -To date, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has sent  a total of 62,022 family food packs to families affected by Tropical Depression Agaton in the three provinces of Davao Region.

This was bared by Director Priscilla N. Razon, DSWD.  “Apart from this number, we have augmented last night 12,000 family food packs to DSWD Caraga Region to cover the affected areas in Agusan Del Sur such as Rosario, San Francisco, Bayugan City, Prosperidad, Trento and Esperanza.”

The department has also provided affected families with non-food items like blankets, pails, mosquito nets, malong, plastic mats, underwears, slippers, bowls, ladles, frying pans and other cooking utensils.

Director Razon said affected families in Region XI have reached 74,453 with 355,174 members.

Further, based on the reports from local government units, DSWD record shows 33 municipalities and 168 barangays were affected, 63 evacuation centers were put up serving 7909 families, 20 reported casualties, six persons went missing and 30 persons were injured. (DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron)

Tagum now has 15-MW Power plant

TAGUM CITY- A 15-megawatt diesel-fired power plant aimed at augmenting the city’s peak power demand was inaugurated last January 17.

Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon hailed the power plant as a welcome development for the city, which could curtail the power shortage in the city and making it friendlier to businesses.

The power plant is a P610-million investment of the EEI Power Corporation, one of the firms under the Yuchengco Group of Companies.

It will serve the needs of Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) as a peaking power plant, operating during the peak hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The new bunker diesel-fired power plant is located in Barangay Magdum, Tagum City.

Despite the operation of the new peaking power plant, DANECO is seeking for other power sources.

By 2015 it is projected that the coop’s available power supply will be an average of  73 MW, however because of steady growth in the DANECO area power demand is expected to reach 86.6 MW.  (PIA-XI RG Alama)

Army cites soldiers for the discovery of more improvised land mines

DAVAO CITY, Jan 22 (PIA) The leadership of the 10th Infantry Division lauded members of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade after the discovery of more improvised land mines and other explosive-making 8:30 am Sunday in Sitio Mampait, Barangay Mansanitas, Loreto Agusan del Sur.

Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division cited the soldiers and the timely report from the residents for the unearthing of the war materiel.

He said the persistent use of improvised land mines only highlights that the rebels are anti-peace, anti-progress and anti-people as they continue to defy the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRILHL).

“"It is through cooperation like this that we will finally put a stop to this and win the peace for our people." Bernardo said.

Captain Ernesto Carolina, public affairs officer of the 10th ID said the soldiers were conducting a reconnaissance patrol when they found the 44 land mines, eight sacks of plastic pipes, batteries, detonating cords, improvised firing devices and other explosive components.

Late last December 2013, the soldiers also recovered 163 landmines and the manufacturing facility in the same vicinity. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

ComVal gideklarang Under State of Calamity

by Rey M. Antibo

 COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Pinaagi sa SP Resolution No. 244-2014 nga giaprobahan dayon sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) panahon sa ilang gipahigayon nga Special Session niadtong Enero 21, 2014, gideklara ang tibook probinsya sa Compostela Valley nga Under the State of Calamity.

Ang maong resolusyon giduso mismo ni Assistant Majority Floor Leader Board Member Augusto Blanco, Jr.– IP Representative.

Matud ni SP Secretary Thelma Curimao- Yumang, MPA nga ang mga rason nganong gideklara nga under State of Calamity ang probinsya tungod kay upat (4) na ka mga munisipyo ang nahaunang nag-deklara na niini.  Kini mao ang mga lungsod sa New Bataan, Montevista, Monkayo, ug Compostela.

Dugang ni SP Secretary Yumang nga ang mga basehan sa pagpasa niini mao nga kun adunay maski duha lang ka munisipyo nga modeklara nga under state of calamity ug kun adunay 20% sa total population nga apektado, ang tibuok probinsya makahimo na sa pagdeklara sa susamang estado.  Idugang pa niini ang agricultural ug infrastructure damages nga nahitabo.  Gani sa pagkakaron sa initial report, miabot na sa P108.6M ang  total amount of agricultural damages samtang P23.3M usab sa infrastructure damages.

Matud pa, ang katuyuan sa pagdeklara sa State of Calamity sa usa ka lugar, aron nga magamit ang Calamity Fund niini para sa danyos nga nasinati tungod sa kalamidad.  (Rey Antibo, IDS ComVal)

New Corella mothers receive livelihood aid

DAVAO DEL NORTE – Mothers in the municipality of New Corella, Davao del Norte were given the opportunity to help improve the income of their families with the livelihood assistance coming from the Soroptimist International (SI)-Tagum City Chapter.

SI-Tagum City Chapter President Grace Samaniego turned over the check amounting to P274,940.00 to New Corella Municipal Council of Women (NCMCOW) President Rhodora Alcoran, as disaster relief assistance intended for the livelihood project of the association.

Gracing the ceremony were Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, Mayor Nestor Alcoran, Provincial Officials Spouses Initiative President Milagros del Rosario, and Provincial Council of Women President Providencia Nunez.

Alcoran revealed the proposed livelihood project of the NCMCOW include catering services, tables and chairs rental, and micro-financing.

Included in the fund is the provision for the purchase of a multi-cab vehicle to help facilitate their catering business.

Samaniego said SI is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls around the world through programs that are geared towards their social and economic empowerment.

Gov. del Rosario said the assistance from the SI-Tagum Chapter will go a long way in empowering the women of the town.

He lauded the SI for helping the provincial government create more opportunities in transforming the lives of women in the province.

“As we continue to push for women empowerment, we recognize that to be successful in such undertaking we have to make the Dabaonon women financially independent,” he said.

The Governor administered the oath of office of the new officers of the councils of women in the municipal level and that of the respective barangays.

The SI-Tagum Chapter later turned over funds for the duck-raising project of the Municipal Council of Women of the municipality of Kapalong.(Noel Baguio-DavNor PIO)

Davao Oriental joins nation in prayer

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, January 21, 2014— Over five hundred employees from the provincial offices and national agencies as well as government officials have gathered Monday, January 20, as Davao Oriental takes a pause from its daily hustles to join the nation in prayer.

A time to reflect on the recent tragic natural calamities that occurred in the province for the past year, people from different denominations came to offer prayers together, giving thanks and asking for protection.

The solemn interfaith community prayer, says Capitol employees, had provided a powerful avenue for strengthening people’s faith while serving as a symbolic rite in sparking the hope of the province after being bombarded by different natural disasters

Joining Governor Malanyaon in prayer were the Philippine Army, Philippine Nation Police (PNP), Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of Muslim Affairs, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon and Vice Governor Joel Z. Almario meanwhile offered prayers for strengthened governance and for a boost in the development for the entire province.

Governor Malanyaon said that the convocation was meant for people to ask repentance as well as a plea for peace and protection against future calamities that may hit the province.

She further made an appeal to everyone to strengthen their faith as what the province had shown after typhoon Pablo hit the province in 2012, where the provincial government chose to dedicate the province first to God before embarking in all rehabilitation and development efforts.

The nationwide prayer dubbed as 'One Nation in Prayer' (Isang Bansa, Isang Panalangin) is the nation’s way of remembering the tragic loss of life as well as thanking God for the nation’s resilience and to ask guidance in rebuilding affected communities. (By Karen Lou Deloso, Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan)

Comval wins anew for brgy w/ best sanitation practices

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE, January 20, 2014 ----- For the 6th time the Compostela Valley province is a consistent  Regional Winner to the National Search for Barangay with Best Sanitation Practices (NSBBSP) of the Department of Health (DOH) Center For Health Development- XI.

There’s a set Joint Awarding Ceremonies  on February 2014 in Pasay City for such  6thNSBBSP Winners and for the Inter-Local Health Zone Good Practices.

The winning 2013 entry of Compostela Valley is the Barangay Del Pilar of the Municipality of Mabini.  According to Provincial Sanitation Inspector Nancy Subayno, based on the conducted regional evaluation on October 2013, the said barangay passed the DOH criteria, making it gained the corresponding needed points to become a regional awardee.

Being a consistent regional winner for 6 years in this best sanitation practice program, the province is hopeful that it will soon be a Hall of Fame Awardee.  (grace almedilla, ids-comval)

3 NPA members surrender to DavSur guv

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, Jan. 21 – Three members of the New People’s Army surrendered their firearms and ammunition to Davao del Sur Governor Claude P. Bautista in time for the latter’s birthday celebration on Friday (Jan. 17, 2014).

Bautista warmly welcomed the surrenderees whose faces were masked and whose names were withheld, as he conveyed a message of reconciliation and unity.

“Returning to the folds of the law has given them a new hope to move on and enjoy life in peace and comfort,” the governor stated during his 54th birthday celebration with the other local government officials and employees held at the provincial capitol gym.

The former NPA members first surrendered to Lt. Col. Norman Zuniega, commanding officer of the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

As earlier interviewed by the Philippine Army spokesperson, the three surrenderees confessed that they allegedly had difficulties in their respective tasks when they were still actively involved in the communist underground movement, aside from the discomfort of being away from their families. (PLGU-DavSur/Nilda S. Aniñon)

DavOr Guv appeals for national gov’t assistance

DAVAO ORIENTAL,   Jan. 21 (PIA)--- Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon  appeals for  assistance from the national government having assessed the substantial damage left by the recent swept of a low pressure area that led to landslides and flashfloods aside from casualties.

In an interview, Malanyaon requested the disposal and sale of debris of felled trees left by Typhoon Pablo which made a landfall in Davao Oriental, packing winds with estimated strength of 185 to 210 kilometers per hour.

The provincial government earlier estimated felled coconut trees to run about 3 million excluding forest trees which were also uprooted  as  typhoon Pablo heavily gushed through three  of Davao Oriental’s east coast towns of Boston, Cateel and Baganga.

She also appealed the national government to help the province restore the bridges particularly those connecting national highways, and to  support the local government in  clearing of landslide-affected roads leading to barangays.

She included these among her appeals noting that people’s mobility and even transport of goods and services had been hampered. A number of key bridges connecting towns and nearby provinces collapsed as LPA-induced continuous rains caused flood-waters to surge.

She also asked for a counterpart in acquiring resettlement sites which she said could no longer be fully shouldered by the provincial government,  “considering the number of barangays that will have to be relocated .”

“Acquire the lots; we will build the houses and gradually we will undertake the land development of the sites.  Kulang na kami talaga dyan.  (We really are in need of this.),” she said referring to resources for land acquisition.

After making rounds to LPA-affected areas to assess the general situation, Malanyaon sent a report on Jan. 16 to Task Force Pablo chairperson, Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras, giving him the details of the extent of damage per area.

Gov. Malanyaon revealed that four barangays in  the municipality of Boston, including the Poblacion, “need to be relocated,” indicating that government centers and settlements in those barangays were identified as “vulnerable to all possible hazards.’

She cited as the “hardest hit town,”  the Municipality of Cateel  had seven barangays which were deeply submerged  with houses flooded up to their rooftops,  at the height of LPA-induced  downpour.

“There is a need to relocate their barangay sites and settlements,” she said.

Malanyaon also recommended the relocation of the barangay center of Marayag (in the Municipality of Lupon) where a debris flow swept 165 houses and rolled down boulders, mud and debris with thickness of about one to two meters high  based on reports of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) XI.

Her report also revealed landslide-affected roads leading to barangays and collapsed bridges causing isolation of  sitios and barangays  and hampering distribution of relief goods.

January 20, 2014 at 3:00 p.m report of  the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI Low Pressure Area update showed that  Davao Oriental had the most number of areas affected and families suffering from the continuous raining caused by the LPA.

Of the total of 23 towns and three cities affected, nine municipalities and one city were in Davao Oriental specifically Boston, Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay, Tarragona, Lupon, Governor Generoso, BanayBanay and Mati City.

Of the 221 barangays affected, 102 were in Davao Oriental; 54 in Compostela Valley; and 63 in Davao del Norte.

Of the 52,807 total affected families, 38,372 were residents of Davao Oriental; 5,190 in Compostela Valley and 9,190 families in Davao del Norte.

Reports from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI included in the OD XI Update on Effects of LPA calculated the damage to roads and bridges to run a total of P126,800,000.00. Of the amount,  the LPA caused more than P57 million damage in Davao Oriental.   (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)