Gov. Uy hugtanong gikondena ang ambush patay kang Laak Mayor Navarro

Compostela Valley – Hugot karon nga gikondena ni Gov. Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy ang nahitabong ambush-patay kang Mayor Reynaldo  B. Navarro, ug matud niya nga gikasubo niya’g dako ang nahitabo kang Mayor Navarro nga suod niya kaayong higala ug  katabang sulod sa taas nga panahon sa malampusong pag-implementar sa iyang mga programang pangkalambuan diha sa Laak.

Sa pinaka-ulahing balita gikan sa taho ni Janice Ollave, ang Municipal Information Officer sa Laak nga nahitabo ang ambush-patay sa mayor diha sa Brgy. Sagayen, Asuncion  niadtong Mayo 28, 2014 sa buntag.  Migikan ang Mayor ug mga kauban sa Laak paingon sa Tagum City sakay sa iyang Montero, ug ang uban sa usa ka Pick-up nga maoy nagsilbing back-up vehicle. Apan sa ilang pag-abot sa Brgy. Sagayen nahitabo ang ambush mga alas 8:30-9:00 sa buntag.

Samtang, human sa panghitabo si 60th IB Commander Lt. Col. Bunagan nagsulti nga ang iyang sakop ug ang ginsakpan sa Asuncion Police ang nagtinabanagay karon sa usa ka makuting pagpanubay aron ilhon ang duha sa mga kauban niadtong mga mi ambush nga namatay usab human sa maong insidente.

Si Mayor Reynaldo B. Navarro ang nagsugod sa iyang political career niadtong 1987 human nga siya maoy gitudlong OIC Municipal Mayor sa Laak ni kanhi DILG Sec. Jaime Ferer, ug sa nahitabong Local Election sa 1988 siya midaug ug nahimong Mayor sulod sa tulo ka termino nga nahuman sa tuig 1998.

Human nga nasiak ang Comval gikan sa inahang probinsiya nga mao ang Davao del Norte, siya maoy gitudlong OIC Vice Governor ug sa 1998 election siya midaug ug nahimong unang Bise Gobernador sa Probinsiya.

Sa iyang kadasig nga makaaalagad sa mga katawhan siya nagpapili ug midaug nga Punong Barangay diha sa Bollukan, Laak sa 2002 Brgy.Election, Gikan niini ang iyang katungdanan misaka human nga siya maoy gipili nga Provincial Chapter President sa Liga ng mga Brgy. ug siya milingkod sa Comval SP ingon nga maoy Ex-Officio Member.

Ang iyang dakong pagmahal sa Laak nga maoy iyang Hometown maoy nakahatag  niya ug dakong kadasig sa iyang pagdagan ug pagdaug nga Municipal Mayor sa Laak sa May 2007 election. Human niini siya midagan nga way kontra sa Mayo 2010 Election, ug sa milabayng 2013 Election siya gihapon ang midaug.

Ang iyang abilidad sa public service ug ang iyang exemplary leadership giila bisan sa iyang mga kaubang Municipal Mayors sa Comval hinungdan nga siya gipiling Chapter President sa LMP sulod sa tulo ka termino. Bisan sa ubang mga lugar siya sa gihapon ang gisaligan sa ubang Municipal Mayors, ug gani siya nahimong Consistent Member sa LMP National Directorate.

Kaduha siya napili sa LMP National Executive Committee- napili siyang Executive Vice President for External Affairs niadtong 2007-20010, ug napiling Executive Vice President for Operation sa 2010-2014. Sa 2012 nahimo sad siyang LMP National President sa mubong panahon. (gilbert cabahug//ids comval)

Panabo students undergo livelihood training

PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE May 29 (PIA) - In order to uplift the social and economic condition of the Panaboans, the Local Government of  Panabo thru the Community Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Program (CSTEP) conducted Fashion Jewelry and Scented Candle Making on May 22 and 27, respectively.

CSTEP facilitator  Marithel  Commendador said that SPES (Special Program for Education of Students) is fortunate to be included in the livelihood program. She continued that the training will give them the opportunity to earn extra income in their family. She added that they will not solely depend on their parents for their daily needs.

After the training, participants were given a Certificate of Training as proof that they have acquired the knowledge and skills. Poverty Alleviation Program is one of the flagship program of the Mayor Silvosa which is now shared out not only by mothers but also to SPES.

The said training was just one of the many livelihood and skills training in line with the JOESIL Program which stands for Job Opportunities through Entrepreneurship and Skills Development geared towards improving the living standards of Panaboans of Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. (Mark Anthony G. Gellor/Erwin Cubio)

Sta. Cruz’s new public market expects to boost economic enterprise

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, May 29 (PIA) – A new public market worth P100 million will soon rise in this town, expecting to boost new opportunities for economic enterprise. “

This project will really benefit the people of Sta. Cruz as it will boost new opportunities for us in terms of economic enterprises,” said Mayor Joel Ray Lopez who led the groundbreaking ceremony for the public market held on Wednesday.

Lopez said that with the population of the town increasing, there is a need to put up a new public market, adding “We’ve been longing for this project and finally it will be implemented now.”

The project is one of the biggest investments of the local government in terms of infrastructure development, he said.

Ninety percent of its funding is being loaned from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

It will be situated in an LGU-owned property in Barangay Zone 3 along the highway, just beside the present Integrated Transport Terminal.

The project construction phase is expected to be completed within 18 months under the Design and Build scheme, said Engr. Remegio Salanatin, Jr., project contractor from the RG Salanatin Construction, Inc.

Mayor Lopez was joined by Vice-Mayor Alexis Almendras, SangguniangBayan members and the contractor during the groundbreaking rites on May 28, 2014 at Barangay Zone 3. (CDIO-Sta. Cruz/Julius R. Paner)

Anti-Smoking Task Force of Davao City to strengthen information drive on the impact of smoking to the young

DAVAO CITY, May 29 (PIA) The chief of the Anti-Smoking Task Force of Davao City has cited the need to intensify more the campaign on the impact of smoking to health particularly on the next generation.

Speaking in the I-Speak Forum, Dr. Domilyn Villareiz, head of the Anti-Smoking Task Force of Davao City noted a rise in the number of smokers among the young whom she called replacement smokers.

She said residents aging 50 and above could have either tempered or stopped indulging on the vice, but the young generation nowadays continue to patronize smoking.

“We still need to strengthen the education campaign on the young people.  The number of replacement smokers particularly the young is increasing in Davao City,” Villareiz said.

She warned that smoking at an early age can lead to nicotine addiction which brings more health risks.

Villareiz hopes that with the intensified anti-smoking campaign in the city, those born from year 2000 will be totally smoke-free.

The smoking ban on public places in Davao City turns 12 years May 30 with the city government recognizing the police commanders, police stations and units under the Davao City Police Office which made the most number of arrests in 2013 in the implementation of the policy.

Villareiz said the top police stations and commanders with the most number of apprehensions in 2013 are the Mobile Patrol Group under Supt. William Corpuz with 1,644 violators arrested, Talomo Police Precinct under Supt. Julius Silagan with 577 arrests, San Pedro Police Precinct under Supt. Joel Consulta  with 463 arrests, City Public Safety Company under Supt. Richard Bad-ang with 345 arrests, and the Sta. Ana Police Precinct under Supt. Cesar Cabuhat with 234 arrests made. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Kasalan sa Barangay New Visayas, nagmalampuson

Ni: mark anthony g. Gellor

Poto ni: erwin cubio

Ang Lokal nga Panggamhanan sa Syudad sa Panabo pinaagi sa City Civil Registrar Office kon CCRO nagpahigayon ug Kasalan sa Barangay kun diin 20 ka magti-ayon ang legal nga gikasal  atubangan ni Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. kaniadtong mayo 21 ning kasamtangang tuig

Si Mayor Silvosa, Sr. ang nahimong solemnizing officer sa maong kasal ug mibutayg kini  sa usa ka programa nga mopalig-on sa usa ka pamilya kung diin gitawag kini nga “Building A Strong Family” sa 2015.

“Ang tumong sa maong programa  kay ang ang pag-awhag sa mga live-in partners nga magpakasal. Kini makahatag ug lig-on nga relasyon sa mag-tiayon ug malampuson nga pamilya,” sigun ni Mayor Silvosa.

Miuyon usab sa programa nga gibutyag ni Mayor Silvosa si Barangay Kagawad Irma Laquihon, Chairperson sa Committee on Gender and Development usab nanguna sa pagpangandam sa mga kinanglanon sa kasalan sa barangay ang

Matud ni Hon. Laquihon nga paningkamotan sa barangay nga masuroy ang ubang lumulopyo nga wala pa makasal aron e ingganyo sila nga mosalmot ug mo apil sa kasalan sa barangay.

Gitambongan usab ni Vice Mayor James Gamao nga maoy nanguna sa wine toasting misaksi usab ang mga ninong, ninang, ginikanan sa gikasal  sa maong kasal.  May parada usab sa cake, bino, arras, coins and token sa mga gikasal.

Barangay sta. Cruz nagpahigayon ni disaster and rescue training

Ni: mark anthony g. Gellor/erwin cubio – cio panabo

Poto ni: genesis cataluña

Aron andam ang matag barangay sa pagresponde sa kalamidad, ang City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office nagpahigayon ug disaster and rescue training sa mga lumulopyo sa barangay sta. Cruz kaniadtong mayo 22 ning kasamtangang tuig.

Kapin 60 ka partisipantes ang mitambong aron maka tuoon sa mga bag-o ug bisiko nga pamaagi sa pagtabang biktima ug paglikay sa disgrasya ilabi na kung may baha o linog nga mahitabo. Gi tudloan ni Roland Madjos, taga CDRRMO, ang flood and earthquake drill kung diin magamit kini sa taga Sta. Cruz . Base sa mga balita, ang baha ug linog  permiti nga masinati sa ubang lugar ilabi na duol  sa suba og kabukiran.

Gipaabot ni Executive Secretary Jovito Glodo ang mensahe ni Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. nga naga engganyo sa mga taga Barangay Sta. Cruz nga kinahanglan preparado ang tanan sa mga buhaton matag adlaw ilabi na kung nay kalamidad nga mo abot.

Naminaw una ang mga partisipantes sa seminar kung diin ang bisiko nga buluhaton kung nay kalamidan. Gi andaman usab sa taga CDRRMO ug notebook ug bolpen aron dili na mahago ang mga partisipantes. Pagkahapon nagpahigayon ug aktwal nga training kung unsaon pag resolba ang mga problema atubangon kung may kalamidad.

Sa kasamtangan nakakab-ot na sa 95% nga estado sa equipments. Mao kini ang pagamiton sa panahon sa baha, bagyo, linog ug landslide. Ang kapasidad sa cdrrmo gilangkoban usab ka tulo ka ambolansya, usa ka rescue vehicle, duha ka rubber boats, usa ka fiber plastic boat.

Soldier released recently by the rebels faces dismissal from service

CAMP PANACAN,Davao City, May 26 (PIA) A military officer has recommended the dismissal from service of a soldier who was recently freed by the rebels for breakdown of discipline.

Lt. Colonel Roberto Bunagan, commanding officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion identified the respondent as Corporal Rogelio Rosales who was released by the rebels in May 19 through Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The rebels abducted Rosales in May 3 while on his way to Sitio Tagpopoot, Barangay Florida, Kapalong. Davao del Norte.

During his release, the rebels publicized his alleged use of illegal drugs and complicity to the illegal logging activities in the area.

The rebels even presented to Duterte a sachet of shabu recovered allegedly from Rosales’ possession.

This incident prompted the military to conduct a deeper investigation.

Bunagan said based on their investigation that Rosales in a sworn statement admitted his use of illegal drugs.

He said the infraction is a violation of the Articles of War 97, being an act “prejudicial to good orders and military discipline and discredits the entire organization.”

“Rosales already admitted to the use of illegal drugs in a sworn statement during his investigation. This is a very grave offense with a correspondingly grave punishment in an organization with such a sensitive responsibility towards the people,” Bunagan pointed.

Rosales however denied any involvement in illegal logging activities which his captors also publicized during his release.

Bunagan said that despite the negative result on the drug and urine test on Rosales, he could still be liable for administrative offense.

Lieutenant Colonel Norman Zuniega, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said that every quarter, soldiers undergo random-drug-test quarterly and corresponding punishment had been meted against troops found positive for drug use.

“Our soldiers go through random drug testing, and each one is subjected to testing at least once per quarter. We have already caught and punished soldiers in the past through these tests,” he said.

Captain Ernest Carolina, public affairs officer of the 10th ID said Rosales’ recommendation for dismissal from service is still subject for approval by the higher command of the military.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Teen pregnancy in Davao on the rise, City alarmed

DAVAO CITY- The local government of Davao is alarmed over the rising cases of teen pregnancies.

Jeff Fuentes, of the population division of the Davao City Health Office (CHO) said there is an estimated 2 to 3% increase in teen pregnancy cases, based upon data from live birth records of the City.

This is equivalent to 5,000 teen pregnancies (mothers 19 years old and below).

He said 5,000 teen pregnancies is equivalent to 5,000 high-risk pregnancy cases as the teenagers young bodies are not yet mature enough to bear babies as compared to adults.

Fuentes said the CHO once conducted fertility awareness talks in schools but ran into stiff competition particularly from the Catholic Church.

He said the talks were refocused towards out-of-school youths.

Fuentes said the talks do not tackle the morality of pre-marital sexual behavior but centers around the clear and present dangers of teen pregnancy.

Lack of parental guidance is pointed as the main reason for the rise in teen pregnant cases, which placed Davao among top 5 cities in the Philippines among teen pregnancies.

With the passage of the reproductive health law, Fuentes said they could revitalize their fertility awareness education in schools.

Currently the CHO has 43 personnel tasked to provide awareness education among teens in the City. (PIA/RG Alama)

Sta. Maria farmers gain access to potable water

STA. MARIA, Davao del Sur, May 26 (PIA) – The agrarian reform beneficiaries and other farmer stakeholders at an agrarian reform community in this town have now access to safe drinking water through a Community-Managed Potable Water Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) project.

The Department of Agrarian Reform Davao del Sur provincial office has recently turned over the CPWASH technology to the farmer-officers of the United CARP Agrarian Beneficiaries Association, Inc. (UNICARBAI) Multi-Purpose Cooperative, at Basiawan ARC, in the municipality of Sta. Maria.  

The project which uses the technology of Iron Removal Filter (IRF) and Bio Sand Filter (BSF) application was undertaken by the Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) of DAR in collaboration with the Philippine Center for Water and Sanitation (PCWS).

Prior to the launching of the project led by DAR provincial officer Atty. Juancho P. Calud, some 25 ARBs and stakeholders from UNICARBAI MPC were trained for 15 days on hands-on construction, operation and management, and sustainability of the project.

The trained ARBs could pass on the knowledge on how to make IRF, BSF, water collector and biogas digester technologies to other interested farmers, which could be an additional enterprise and income for both the trainers and the cooperative.

The cooperative is now offering promotional package of the technology (both labor and materials), for those who want to avail of the technology and who have problems about safe drinking water, and also for swine raisers who have concerns on the disposal of manure.

As part of the social enterprise of the CPWASH project, eight (8) heads of swine were dispersed to the first identified ARB-leaders of the cooperative.

The swine will be propagated and the offspring will be dispersed after four to five months until all members of the cooperative have availed of the program. (DAR-DavSur/YadzGeyrozaga)

Digos mayor condemns broadcaster’s killing

DAVAO CITY, May 26 (PIA) – Digos City Mayor Joseph Peñas has strongly condemned the killing of radio broadcaster Samuel Oliverio who was shot on the head early morning of Friday last week.

The mayor has also asked Police authorities to investigate thoroughly in order to resolve the case and attain justice for the victim who was a job order employee of the local government of Digos City, working as anchorperson to the LGU’s program over DXDS RadyoUkay.  

SPO3 Roland Dagondon, chief investigator of Digos City Police Station, bared that they already have a lead on the identity of the triggerman who is still at large, but said they could not reveal the name yet.

“We still need to verify the identity of the suspect through the wife of the victim and another witness,” Dagondon said, adding “we have to be sure about our information.”

Based on their information and on a photo of the triggerman taken by a witness, the police investigator disclosed that the suspect previously faced a case and was jailed at the police station.

Dagondon said they are still looking into the real motive behind the killing, whether it was due to a personal grudge or related to work as radio broadcaster.

Oliverio sustained gunshot wounds in the nape and head that caused his instant death after he was shot by a motorcycle riding in tandem about 7:15 am on May 23, along Gregorio del Pilar St. in Digos City.

The victim was going home onboard his motorcycle with his wife who both came from the public market when the triggerman fired at Oliverio.

Fortunately, the wife was not hit, but she sustained bruises on the left knee when they fell with the motorcycle.

Oliverio, 57 and who was fondly called Sammy, had also a broadcasting stint at DXPM Supreme Radio FM in Digos City, with a program entitled “Bulgaran.”

His LGU-sponsored blocktime program as commentator over DXDS RadyoUkay AM station, also in Digos City, had a title "Isumbongkang Palos ugTirador."

RadyoUkay station manager Ramon Sibya also condemned the killing, and challenged the authorities to deeply investigate the case.

Prior to the killing, Sibya said Oliverio was on temporary leave due to health reasons. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

BAN Toxics unveils first mercury-free facility in Mount Diwata

DAVAO CITY- Environmental justice group BAN Toxics in partnership with the local government of Barangay Mount Diwata and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) opened the first and only mercury-free gold processing facility in Mount Diwata, Monkayo, Compostela Valley.

Mt. Diwata is considered to be one of the biggest gold deposits in the Philippines, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas estimating that some P2 billion worth of gold produced here annually. Diwalwal, as locals call it, has gained global notoriety for its rampant use of mercury – an environmental destructive and highly toxic substance.

The launch of the facility, which was attended by over 200 artisanal and small-scale miners, hopes to eliminate mercury use in Mount Diwata.

“We believe the small-scale miners of Mount Diwata are willing to change if they were given the chance and the choice. The facility we are putting up will give them the alternative they need to let go of mercury,” BAN Toxics executive director Richard Gutierrez said.

The facility will employ the use of Benguet method, an enhanced traditional technique utilizing gravity and borax predominantly used in the Benguet, and has been popularized by BAN Toxics in the Philippines and in other parts of the world.  BAN Toxics will be bringing in trainers from other parts of the country, miners who have abandoned mercury use, to educate and train the small-scale miners of Mount Diwata to utilize mercury-free techniques in gold extraction.

Mercury use in small-scale mining was banned by Executive Order 79 in 2012. Although illegal, mercury can be bought at P5,000 to P8,000 per kilogram through unregulated markets.

According to a study conducted by the United Nations Environment Program, artisanal and small-scale gold mining is the single largest mercury-emitting sector in the world. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) estimates the annual mercury discharge in the Philippines at around 70 metric tons.

“We have witnessed many stories of the transformation of miners who stopped using mercury in gold mining through the help of BAN Toxics. We don’t want to be witnesses anymore. We want to take part in this change and make a positive contribution to our community,” said Barangay Mount Diwata captain Pedro Samillano.

The facility was made possible through the support of the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental and Management Bureau, the Department of Health and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. (pr)

Holcim Philippines gives 100 houses to Pablo victims

DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 23 (PIA) - - - “Alas sais sa buntag mi namakwit sa among balay kauban akong bana ug tulo ka anak. Tungod sa kakusog sa ulan, hinay-hinay lang kami namaktas. Ningkalit nalang ug bugso ang kusog kaayo na tubig ug lapok.” (At 6:00 in the morning, I, together with my husband and three children, evacuated our house. Because of the strong winds, we walked slowly. However, there was a sudden rush of water and dirt.)

Nimfa Tumalang tearfully recalled the struggle they encountered last December 4, 2012, when Typhoon Pablo destroyed towns of the province of Compostela Valley.

Tumalang said that when they were hit by the surge of the flood, she lost grab of her children and struggle through the current. She added that she was taken by the flood for about three kilometers away and thought she was the lone survivor of that flood.

“Pagbakod nako, abi nako ug ako nalang ang nabuhi sa among baryo,” she said. (When I resurfaced, I thought I was the only one alive from our village.)

In three days, she was reunited with her second son and husband. Tumalang lost two of her children.

When they visited their village, Tumalang added, they saw nothing that can be distinguished as their house.

“Maong dako kaayo nakong pasalamat sa Holcim nga gitagaan mi nila aning balay,” (That is why I am grateful to Holcim for giving us this house) she said.

Tumalang family is one of the 100 family-victims of Typhoon Pablo that received a house built by Holcim Philippines in the municipality of New Bataan.

The houses were built in a hectare land allocated by the Local Government Unit of New Bataan by Holcim and the families themselves.

“Nagtabang pud mi sa paghimo sa among mga balay,” (We also helped in building our houses) Tumalang said.

Now, she, together with her husband, her son who is finishing his on-the-job training in a company in Davao City for automotive mechanic, and her nieces from her sister who died from the flood, is living in a 26 square-meter house with concrete tiled roofing.

Gov. Arturo Uy of Compostela Valley said that the design of the house was way better than any low-cost housing project.

Further, Dir. Priscilla Razon of the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI said that she was awed by the design and style of the house as well as the program institutionalized by Holcim in building the houses.

“They involve the family-victims and make them feel that they are part of building their own homes,” Dir. Razon said.

Zita Balogo, plant manager of Holcim Philippines, said that the company capacitated the family-victims to build their houses through training them on carpentry, masonry and electrical. She added that the company placed a training center in the area for the said purpose. (PIA 11, Michael L. Uy)

OWWA-XI grants scholarship to OFW kin

DAVAO CITY, May 23(PIA)  The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Davao Region formally forged a contract of agreement with the 12 recipients of its scholarship programs for the school year 2014-2015.

Eduardo  Bellido, regional director-officer-in-charge of the OWWA 11 and Zenobia Caro, chief of the Public Services Division of the OWWA 11 signed the agreement in behalf of the government with the beneficiaries of the Education for Development Scholarship Program and the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program.

Bellido said the scholarship program assures quality education for the family members of overseas workers, especially those who intend to acquire a baccalaureate degree.

“We hope to assist OFWs in securing one of the reasons why they go abroad which is to help their children earn a college degree,” he said.

Bellido explained the EDSP scholarship grants a student a maximum of P60,000 per school year leading to a five-to-five year course in any college or university.

He said that under the CWSP, a student can avail of P10,000 per semester for actual cost of tuition and other school fees, a monthly stipend of P3,500, book allowance of P1,000 and a clothing allowance of P500.00

Parents welcomed the scholarship program, calling it a big reprieve to their responsibility of giving quality education to their children.

Seven of the 12 grantees opt to enroll at the Ateneo de Davao University while four at the University of the Philippines-Mindanao and one at the University of South-eastern Philippines. 

Bellido said most of the grantees passed the qualifying exams given in September, 2013.

“I vouche for the competence of the grantees whom we have high hopes that they will  graduate with flying colors,” he said.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

DavOr info group officers inducted

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental, May 22 (PIA) --- Philippine Information Agency XI Regional Director Efren F. Elbanbuena yesterday inducted into office the newly elected officers of the Davao Oriental Information Officers Organization (DavOrg).

Elbanbuena raised expectation for DavOrg to pave way towards strengthening the ranks of information officers of local government units (LGUs) and national government based in Davao Oriental.

The induction of officers of DavOrg followed right after the election of officers facilitated by PIA DavComval Information Center in a meeting of Davao Oriental Information Officers held at Lane’s Kan-anan in the City of Mati.

City of Mati Information Officer Yon Maybuena was elected as DavOrg president; Davao Oriental Provincial Information Officer Karen Lou Deloso as vice president; San Isidro Municipal Information Officer (MIO) Gladys Capalit, secretary; Manay MIO Alonso Ong, treasurer;  Lupon MIO Roy Z. Paran, Auditor.

Elected as chairperson of the Committee on Membership was Zaida Fe I. Ramiro of the Department of Trade and Industry Davao Oriental Field Office; Committee on IEC/Advocacy chairperson, Momy A. Repe of the Technical Skills Education and Development Authority (TESDA); Ways and Means Committee chairperson, Police Senior Insp. Carmelo M. Peteros of Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office; and Special Project Committee Chairperson, Ropel O. Marteje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The officers form part of the DavOrg Board of Directors (BOD) which includes all LGU information officers of Davao Oriental.

The organization of DavOrg completes the grouping of  LGU  and NGA information officers in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley Province and Davao Oriental—which are the coverage areas of PIA 11 DavComval Information Center.

In Davao del Norte, the organization of Information Officers carries the name Association of Information Officers of Davao del Norte (A-ION) while in Compostela Valley, the group is known as the Association of Community Development Information Officers of Compostela Valley (ACDIOCOM).

On the other hand, Elbanbuena was glad that DavOrg officers and  members immediately tuned in to the advocacy  on climate change adaptation which he cited as imperative for all LGUs to give attention to.

DavOrg officers and members then laid out an action plan which put on the  top list the need to benchmark with established information offices in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte and in the city of Tagum.

Set on June 26, the visit is aimed at learning how Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Tagum  City run their information offices, the structure of such office, the role  that the information office plays during  the activation of Incident Command System (ICS). (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

School exec pushes measures as ASEAN 2015 nears

DAVAO CITY- A school official is pushing for measures that will enhance school’s attractiveness as ASEAN 2015 nears.

The ASEAN 2015 (Asean stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional economic integration which involves the freer movement of capital, goods and people among ASEAN member countries by 2015. Among these movement will be students from different countries in the region.

Rey Castro, Assistant Vice President for Business Development of the University of Mindanao, said that several measures must be enacted so that schools can take advantage of ASEAN 2015.

One is the change of school calendar. The Philippines is the only country in ASEAN where the month June is the opening of classes. Almost all countries have followed the schedule where August is the start of the classes.  Castro said that Vietnam and Thailand had changed their school calendar to adapt to other countries.

He said that UM will be following the new calendar this coming 2015 with August as the start of classes and also they will be be using the trimester calendar instead of the usual semestral classes.

“If you really want to internationalize you must change our school calendar because no students will enroll if our school calendar is different from their countries.” Castro said during an interview at the Kapehan sa Abreeza Media forum held today  (May 23) at Abreeza, Ayala Mall.

Another measure for schools to adapt is to ensure that curriculum must adhere to international standards.  And one of the steps is to harmonize the credit transferring system in Philippine schools.

Castro also noted the discrepancy of Philippine units with units from other ASEAN countries, for example one Malaysian college subject is equivalent to about three Philippine college subjects.

He said the country is noted for having so many subjects in college. In other countries one college semester has an average of 3 to 4 college subjects while in the Philippines a semester has a load of 8 to 9 college subjects.

He said this is the reason why foreign students only study English and other cultural subjects in the country instead of schooling here full-time.

UM he said has started to harmonize its curriculum and is widely accepted among ASEAN countries.

Another measure is for schools to have foreign professors and to offer foreign languages particularly Bahasa, Japanese, South Korean and Chinese as ASEAN integration will also include the three countries Japan,  South Korea and China.

One aspect looking into is fixing the peace and order problem particularly the country’s negative image. Castro cited the school University of Mindanao as hard to promote because of the negative connotation of Mindanao as a war-torn region.

Castro cited huge potentials in the education market in the coming ASEAN 2015, particularly as many students from ASEAN countries will be attracted to study in the country because of its English communication skills. (PIA/RG Alama)

USeP Hosts SPED Summer Program for Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, May 23, 2014 – The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) hosted the Special Education (SPED) Summer Program for Mindanao on April 16 to May 12 in line with the Department of Education’s goals to strengthen the country’s educational system.

SPED teachers from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), and Caraga gathered in the University to further enhance their abilities in closely attending to children with special learning needs.

The same training was held for principals and supervisors throughout the country as the program aims to upgrade their competencies in constituting and maintaining worthwhile SPED programs within their authority.

Returning teacher-scholars are also included in the program to handle students with special hearing and visual impairment, multiple disabilities with visual impairment (MDVI), and intellectual disabilities.

“This 27-day summer training program for 546 Special Education (SPED) school officials and teachers will hone their skills in attending to gifted children and those with disabilities,” said Armin Luistro, Education Secretary. 

The SPED summer training program was also held in Cebu Normal University (for Regions 6, 7, and 8) and Philippine Normal University in Manila (for Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, NCR, and CAR). The training happened on April 10 to May 5 in Cebu, and on April 16 to May 12 in Manila.

“I challenge the participants to be more concerned and responsive to the needs of the special children in relevance with the inclusive education advocated by the Department of Education,” said Perfecto A. Alibin, SUC President IV, USeP, during the culmination of the summer training program.

President Alibin also emphasized the 4Cs that are needed for effective teaching in special education namely: competence, confidence, compassion, and compensation.

Overall, the summer training program was a success, and SPED teachers are now re-equipped with the knowledge they can use to further improve the quality of education for special children. (PR)

Panabo, New Corella health officers lauded in Provincial Health Summit

DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 22 (PIA) - - - Health Officers of Panabo City and New Corella topped the awarding ceremony of the Provincial Heatlh Summit on May 20 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan of this province.

Dr. Emelda Bendijo of Panabo City and Dr. Nancy Cacayorin of New Corella gained the award as Most Outstanding Health Officers in the city and municipal levels respectively.

Dr. Bendijo said in an interview that the award manifested the effective services offered by their respective offices through the years.

Bendijo said that based on the score card on health, Panabo was among the top local government units in the province that have been doing well in health services.

According to the score cards presented by provincial health officer Dr. Agapito Hornido, Panabo got eight indicators that reached the national objective on health, five indicators that reach the national average, and only three indicators that are below the national average.

Dr. Bendijo added that the accomplishments were achieved through concerted efforts of the whole health office team and the barangays with the support from the local officials and department heads.

Dr. Bendijo said that their office will be maintaining their effective services to the public and will also focus on the things they needed to improve, especially on the indicators that are below the national average.

Data showed that Panabo got a score below the national average on health expenditures, ratio of public physician to population and Tuberculosis cure rate.

Both were chosen by a team composed of personnel from regional and provincial health offices based on length and status of employment, attitude, leadership skills, submission of reports and attendance in meetings, seminars and trainings.

Other winners were Dr. Evan Madera of New Corella as most outstanding public health dentist; Mary Beth Eculiada of Asuncion, most outstanding medical technologist; Jovelyn Dumaluan of Dujali, most outstanding public health nurse; Daisy Batibut of Kapalong, most outstanding rural health midwife; Cruzita Omana of Island Garden City of Samal, most outstanding sanitation inspector; and Flordeliz Malacas of Tagum City, Barangay Health Worker. (PIA 11, Michael L. Uy)

DavNor DTI urges MSMEs to “be different” to survive ASEAN Integration

DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 22 (PIA) - - - “If you want to stay in the market, be different.”

Amidst the implementation of the ASEAN Integration on 2015, Edwin Banquerigo, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), posed this challenge to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo.

In explaining his statement, Banquerigo said MSMEs have to stand different from the rest in terms of product quality, competitive pricing and uniqueness.

Banquerigo encouraged the MSMEs, especially those in the manufacturing and processing businesses, to continuously improve their products.

He said that only through continuous product innovation, the MSMEs can gain competitive advantage over industries in the same field in other countries.

Banquerigo said that there are a number of government agencies such as  the DTI and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which could help them improve their products.

Banquerigo said that one of their programs is the Shared Service Facility, which aims to improve the efficiency and productivity of the MSMEs.

He revealed that last year the DTI Davao del NOrte Field Office distributed a total of P 13-million worth of facilities and another P 5 million worth of facilities will be given this year.

Banquerigo also said that the DTI is conducting a roving academy to capacitate the MSME in entrepreneurship, marketing and product enhancement.

He urged MSME  to visit DTI at the Provincial Government Center in Mankilam, Tagum City to avail DTI  services designed to assist MSMEs flourish and survive in their ventures. (PIA 11, Michael L. Uy)

Smoking policy still violated, PHO chief says

DAVAO DEL NORTE, May  22 (PIA)--- Employees of some national government  agencies and provincial  offices located within the Provincial Government Center are still violating the anti-smoking policy, Provincial Health Officer Agapito Hornido said.

In an interview, Dr. Hornido  said he will soon  brought  this violation to the attention of Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario.

He revealed having found out the violation through discreet monitoring that his office conducted.

“We  captured videos of the violators,” he said but he refused to name names and even requested PIA not to of divulge yet the government agencies found with employees smoking inside Provincial Government Center premises.

He called on government agency heads to intensify the implementation of anti-smoking policy within government office and its premises in compliance with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) directives.

He also asked them to monitor their employees and their areas as he revealed that thrown cigarette butts were found within the premises in some national government agencies (NGAs) located inside the Provincial Government Center.

The Provincial Government of Davao del Norte has intensified its implementation of Smoke-Free Environment policy through Executive No. 04, Series of 2013 issued by Provincial Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario in compliance with the CSC Memorandum Circular  No. 17, series of 2009, “promoting 100 percent smoke-free environment in government and in public places.”

The PHO has mounted announcement on anti-smoking prohibition in wide tarpaulin  with corresponding information on the ill-effects of smoking. Billboards on such information are  placed in conspicuous places and outside all provincial  government offices.

Even walls in hallways and those leading to comfort rooms bear announcement of such prohibition and information on the ill-effects to health of smoking.

Dr. Hornido said that the intensive campaign against smoking is not really intended to grab the “Red Orchid Award” of the World Health Organization (WHO) which  grants such to LGUs  highly observing the No Smoking Policy.

“This is for everyone’s health,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte bids for the Red Orchid Award and that evaluators from the Department of Health and from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) are conducting this morning an on-site validation within the Provincial Government Center.

Dr. Hornido said the municipal governments of Carmen,  New Corella  and B.E. Dujali are also vying for the award along with the city government of Panabo. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

DavSur ARBs get P2.4M loan for sugar cane production

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, May 22 (PIA) – The agrarian reform beneficiaries from two people’s organizations in the province have recently been enlisted as recipients to a P2.4 million loan from Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for sugar cane production.

Set to benefit from the program are 44 ARBs who will be the first batch in the region to avail of the loan through LBP’s Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP).

The farmers are members of agrarian reform beneficiaries organization (ARBOs) namely:  the Pasig ARBs and Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PARBUFMPC) and Cogon Bacaca ARS Multi-Purpose Cooperative (COBARBEMPCO), both of Kiblawan town.

Atty. Juan Cho Calud, Davao del Sur’s Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, said the loan will be used to finance 41 hectares sugarcane production inside the Agrarian Reform Community in Kiblawan.

Calud said the ARC is one of the identified sites for the Agrarian Reform Community and Connectivity Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) targeted for sugarcane block farming.

Department of Agrarian Reform regional director John Maruhom said the loan package targets to bring about sixty percent increase in sugarcane production from 50 to 75 tons per hectare in the targeted sites.

Maruhom explained that the APCP is a vehicle through which the appropriate financial and technical services will be availed by ARBS as this is specially tailored for ARBOs that do not yet qualify under the LBP’s regular lending window and the Credit Assistance Program for Program Beneficiaries Development (CAP-PBD).

DAR and LBP together with the Department of Agriculture (DA) have pooled resources and expertise to help ARBs in terms of providing credit at affordable cost, development assistance and marketing support.

A loan agreement under the APCP was signed between COBARBEMCO and PARBUFMPC respectively represented by Raymundo Daub Sr. and Josephine Barsalote, LBP Lending Center headed by Charlotte Conde, DAR-XI regional director Maruhom and DA-XI regional director Renelyn R. Recoter. (DAR DavSur/Yadz Geyrozaga)

CSC upholds DavNor Capitol, employees’ union CAN

DAVAO DEL NORTE, May 19 (PIA) -  The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has confirmed the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) that was entered into by and between the provincial government of Davao del Norte and the Davao Province Government Employees Association (DPGEA).

 CSC Provincial Director Minda Ostique said the Commission approved CNA No. 731 after it complied with the requirements for the CNA registration under the amended rules and regulations of Executive Order No. 180.

 The CSC registration, which was issued on February 17, 2014, was signed by CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III, among other officials of the Commission.

 Following several years of negotiations, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and DPEA President Engr. Lily Salazar signed the CNA last May 2014.

 Through the Agreement, the provincial government affirmed its commitment to promote employee welfare and to espouse the employees’ right to self-organization.

 Ostique said the CNA highlights the rights to union recognition, employee economic benefits, and welfare programs among others, towards establishing a harmonious working environment that result to better delivery of genuine public service. 

 Salazar revealed among the benefits included in the Agreement are the anniversary bonus and the CNA incentive that comes from 50 percent of the total savings of the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) of the province this year.

 True to his commitment to personnel welfare and development, Del Rosario has since provided the necessary mechanisms crucial in improving workforce capacity and productivity.

 Aside from assuring economic benefits to the employees, the governor has also launched the Davao del Norte Learning Institute to provide opportunity for undergraduate personnel to upgrade their academic qualification and enhance governance and public service.

 Seven of the DNLI scholars graduated last April in BS in Public Administration, while the remaining 25 shall finish the specialized baccalaureate degree this coming July.

 With the assistance of the Philippine-Australia Human Resource ang Organizational Development Facility (PAHRODF), the province has also introduced series of workplace development activities that broadened the perspectives of the provincial employees beyond their individual scope of work. (DAVNOR PIO)