Monday, June 30, 2014

Panabo City joins PIA’s Global Warming and Climate Change Orientation

PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE June 30 (PIA) - Due to the gradual result of Global Warming and Climate Change to the world, Panabo City took part in an orientation and briefing initiated by the Philippine Information Agency XI (PIA) on Climate Change for Information Officers last June 19 to 21 at Big 8 Corporate Hotel in Tagum City.

Topics during the orientation include an overview of Global Warming and Climate Change with speaker OIC Legal and Environment Education Division of Environmental Management Bureau Engr. Nestor V. Patnugot, the New Normal weather by Sr. Meteorologist, PAGASA XI Mr. Gerry Pedrico (with El Niño Phenomenon), Security Measures of NGCP by Milfranco Capulong, Corporate Communications Officer, and the Role of Information Officers in the Incident Command System of DRRMC by OCD XI Director BGen. Loreto Rirao (Ret.).

The participants have a corresponding responsibility to reecho the orientation to different Barangays in their designated Cities and Municipalities. According to PIA XI Director Efren Elbanbuena, “Barangays should gain awareness and understanding concerning the issues related to what is going on in our environment for them to prepare, mitigate and adapt the imminent phenomenon”.

Exposure to Davao del Norte DRRMC post and facilities as well as to ComVal intensive Command Post and System also make a difference in the study.

The City of Panabo will now materialize a Barangay Info link Seminar to establish responsible information officers, also to organize a school based journalism seminar incorporating Global Warming and Climate Change in the said activities, making them channels of our text blast plan as well as information and feedback mechanism.

There were an estimated eighty participants from the region, mostly were information officers of different local governments in Davao Region.

The 3-day free orientation was sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director Efren Elbanbuena through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR XI) under Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragala, CESO III. (CIO Panabo)

DSWD holds orientation on community-driven program

DAVAO CITY, June 30 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently conducted a three-day orientation on the Kalahi CIDSS-National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) for local chief executives and LGU personnel.

Present were LGU officials from Boston, Tarragona, Manay, Monkayo, Maco, Nabunturan, Cateel, Caraga, New Bataan, Nabunturan, Cateel, Caraga, Compostela, New Corella, Governor Generoso, San Isidro, Pantukan and Kapalong.

The orientation covered program background, size of block grants to eligible LGUs, and conditions for LGU participation.

A flagship poverty alleviation program of the National Government, Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP is the scale up of Kalahi-CIDSS.

The goal of this program is to help barangay/communities of targeted municipalities become empowered to achieve improved access to services and to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation and to support community-driven post-disaster response and development in disaster-affected municipalities.

To be implemented from 2014 to 2019, Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP has P9.3 billion project cost nationwide. Of this amount, US$479 million is from a World Bank loan and US$372.1 million comes from the ADB Emergency Assistance Loan.

Eligible to participate in the NCDDP are 4th to 6th  class municipalities with poverty incidence higher than the national average of 25% based on the 2009 small area estimates of NSCB (National Statistical Coordinating Board), 1st to 3rd class municipalities with poverty incidence of 40% higher, and Yolanda-affected provinces. (DSWD/ Julie Ace Brandon F. Ramos/ccd)

DOE eyes social awareness on oil industry

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, June 30 (PIA) - The Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the City Government of Tagum conducted an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on The Downstream Oil Industry, on June 27, 2014 at Molave Hotel, Tagum City.

The one-day event was primarily aimed at enhancing the level of awareness of the industry stakeholders, consumers and other concerned agencies on the pertinent government agencies rules and regulations, safety and standards including concerns that currently confronting the oil industry.

The topic discussed during the forum includes the Overview of the Downstream Oil Industry, LPG Cylinder Standards, Household LPG Rules and Regulations and Consumer Safety Tips, Liquid Petroleum (LPP) Retail Rules and Consumer Tips, LPG in Butane Canisters, and ended with an Open Forum.

DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos said in his message that this campaign will elevate social awareness to give ethical standard to consumers and dealers and also enjoins them to sustain the information and interaction in this field of industry.

Close to 200 persons attended which came from different sectors of oil industry and businessmen from Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and other LGUs from the different provinces. (Gleiza Delgado of CIO Tagum)

More reasons for DavOr to celebrate 47th founding day

DAVAO ORIENTAL, June 30 (PIA)---She bangs the gavel with definiteness.

Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon opened the 47th  founding anniversary celebration of  the province last Thursday with certainty that the Dabawenyos of  Davao Oriental indeed have more reasons to rejoice.

The recent UNESCO inscription of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary hauled the reasons for jubilation that Dadawenyos shared at the center  of celebrating its 47th founding anniversary (on July 1) bannering the theme, “Kabilin, Atong Ampingan (Heritage, We Conserve)”.

The provincial government last Thursday organized a program welcoming the delegation who went to Doha, Qatar to show strong presence of local government and community support pinned on the application for the UNESCO  inscription of Mt. Hamiguitan as a World Heritage Site.

 Together with chief executives of  the local government units (LGUs) surrounding Mt. Hamiguitan, provincial government officials led by Vice Gov. Mayo Almario and House Representative Danny Dayanghirang met the delegation at the Pintatagan Welcome Park (located in Banay-Banay at the boundary of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley).

Accompanied by Secretary Luwalhati Antonio of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Environment Regional Director Marcus Joselin Fragada, the delegation headed by Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon was welcomed by throngs of well-wishers from the municipalities of Governor Generoso, San Isidro and the City of Mati with drum and  bugle corps and street-dancing  performance of school-children.

After the speeches, the welcoming group took the delegation to a motorcade to the poblacion of Gov. Generoso and San Isidro before proceeding to the Subangan (meaning ‘east’) Davao Oriental Provincial Tourism Museum where the 47th Araw ng Davao Oriental opening program was held.

There, Malanyaon with wide smile told the crowd of her happiness.  “Lipay kaayo ko. Nalipay ba mo? (I am truly happy. Are you?) she asked as she officially revealed that the delegation who went to Qatar “brought home the bacon”.

 After five long and arduous years of waiting and complying with the UNESCO requirements, the Mt. Hamiguitan was finally inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site at about 5:20 p.m. (PH time) on June 23, 2014.

Malanyaon may not be able to climb its peak at more than 5,000 feet above sea level, but she said  the rigors of going through  the UNESCO application process was like a mountain-climb for her and for the Mt. Hamiguitan inscription team led by Provincial Tourism consultant Cynthia Rodriguez.

Hanging behind her story on the success of Mt. Hamiguitan inscription was her recollection of the December 2012 Typhoon Pablo devastation in the three east coast towns of the Davao Oriental.

She remembered herself then saying that the assistance and benefits poured into the east coast areas  due to typhoon Pablo would spill over to all other areas in the  province.

She pushed through the opening of the state-of-the- art Subangan Davao Oriental Provincial Museum on January 8, 2014,  serving as a show-window of the  eco-tourism, economic and socio-cultural strength of each of the 11 towns (including Mati City) in the province.

Aside  from the fossilized remains of the 50-foot sperm whale which drifted along the coast  of Governor Generoso, some artefacts, the fabrics used by Davao Oriental forefathers,  the Subangan  Museum puts together live object-video-and-photo presentations of significant sites such as the UNESCO-recognized Mt. Hamiguitan, the Aliwagwag Falls and Davao Oriental  rivers categorized as cleanest among rivers in the Philippines.

The tourism strength of Davao Oriental catapulted by the UNESCO inscription of  Mt. Hamiguitan as World Heritage Site also brought in infrastructure assistance from the national government.

MinDA Sec. Antonino assured that funding  for national road repairs  is sure to come this year.

Malanyaon also revealed that DPWH Sec.  Rogelio Singson  expected Antonino to look into the infra needs of Davao Oriental following the inscription of Mt. Hamiguitan as a World Heritage Site.

Gov. Malanyaon sighed great relief and gratefulness of the  overwhelming support she got leading to the UNESCO inscription  of Hamiguitan.  She gave thanks to the national lines agencies of MinDA, DENR as well as the National Commission on  Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), to the LGUs of Mt. Hamiguitan, among others.

Above all, she gave thanks to God for bestowing Davao Oriental immense gift of nature and for  allowing the province to share such gift to mankind. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Police busts robbery group

TAGUM CITY, JUNE 30—Improved police response netted in results in Tagum City when  two robbery suspects were shot dead by the elements of the Tagum City Police Office after they were cornered meters away from the establishment they robbed along Apokon Road at around 2 PM Saturday.

The police identified one suspect, as Michael Glenogo Padernal while the identity of the other killed robber is still unknown as of this writing.

The tandem got away four pay-to-cash cheques worth 20,000 pesos each, and a pouch and wallet containing 20,000 pesos and 10,000 pesos, respectively, according to Lorena Paoner, owner of the Dxong Jxun Car Display Center and Auto Repair Shop.

All of these were recovered during the operation, including one loaded .38 pistol and a hand grenade found beside the still unidentified suspect who hid lying in a canal meters away from the car display center.

Her voice shaking, Paoner said she was surprised that within minutes, the policemen immediately responded which led to the killing of the two robbers.

Prior to the incident, the Tagum City Police Office closely monitored the suspects and their plan to stage a robbery hold up which was pitched by a reliable informant, according to Police Inspector Anjanette Tirador.

We got information that this group will conduct a robbery operation here in Tagum that’s why earlier today, we came with an action plan. When the suspects arrived, our team was able to respond right away,” she added.

Tirador said they are still investigating whether the two are part of a group that have been conducting robbery hold up operations in the city in the past months. (Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum)

Protecting Mt. Hamiguitan, top concern for UNESCO inscription-Malanyaon

CITY  OF MATI,  Davao Oriental, June 28  (PIA)--- To protect the environment stands as the ultimate goal of seeking  the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscription for Mt. Hamiguitan, Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon said.

In a presscon Thursday evening at the Subangan Provincial Museum, Malanyaon emphasized   the need to protect Mt. Hamiguitan  amidst influx of tourists expected to come and see the mountain range recently inscribed by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage sites.

 “We sought the inscription because we want to showcase our people who want to protect the environment,” she said.

Malanyaon bared that UNESCO had set “stringent conditions” that went along with the inscription of Mt. Hamiguitan, recognizing it for possessing “outstanding universal value as  it  represents a complete and  substantially intact flora and fauna.”

Proclaimed as a protected area under Republic Act 9303, the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary was inscribed by UNESCO on June 23, 2014 among the World Heritage sites under wildlife sanctuary category.

It is the only UNESCO-inscribed heritage site in Mindanao,  the only mountain range in the Philippines inscribed as a World Heritage site, and the sixth UNESCO-inscribed wildlife sanctuary in the world.

Other UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Philippines are the city of Vigan (Ilocos Sur), the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Puerto Princesa Subterrarean River (Palawan).

Stretching in a land area of more than 7,000 hectares ,  the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary straddles across the municipalities of San Isidro, Governor Generoso and the City of Mati in Davao Oriental.

Malanyaon banks on the continued commitment of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to  protect the mountain range and its wildlife but she had made her own measures of protecting it by creating the Mt. Hamiguitan Development Council, bringing together local government units and concerned government agencies tapped to protect and conserve Mt. Hamiguitan.

She has also tasked the  three local chief executives of LGUs within Mt. Hamiguitan to “plan out the kind of development that should happen in the area.”

In the same press conference,  Governor  Generoso Mayor Vicente Orencia committed to do his share of protecting  Mt. Hamigutan sayingnobody should be allowed to enter  the buffer-zone serving as shield area surrounding the mountain range.

Mayor Justina Yu vowed to hold on to the policy of the municipality on “No to Mining, No to Illegal Logging” that the municipality has been implementing since 1997.

“No cutting of trees in San Isidro. We have been protecting the mountain  for so long,”  she told the media practitioners.

Mayor Carlo Rabat of the City of  Mati pointed out the need to come up with uniform policies among LGUs within Mt. Hamiguitan not only to conserve Mt. Hamiguitan but  also to  protect its buffer-zone from intrusion.

“There should be coordination in terms of policy,”  he said in the same forum.

Meanwhile,  DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada assured the provincial government of Davao Oriental of the continued support of DENR but he pointed out the need for a  collective effort “to sustain Mt. Hamiguitan as a World Heritage Site.”

He also saw the need to establish proper implementing rules and regulations  on entry of visitors to and on research studies in the mountain range in accordance with the conditions  set by UNESCO in its inscription of Mt. Hamiguitan.   (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

New Tagum fire chief to focus on climate change mitigation

DAVAO DEL NORTE, June 24 (PIA) - - - Following the retirement of Senior Insp. Pedro Tolop, a section chief in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) regional office is the new fire marshal of Tagum City.

Formally installed yesterday (June 23) during the Monday Convocation Program, SInsp. Chris Omar Garcia, a former chief of the personnel section of the administrative division of the BFP regional office, replaced SInsp. Tolop to lead the fire bureau of the city.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by Mayor Allan Rellon and Eliza Mendoza, director of the Department of Interior and Local Government based in the city.

SInsp. Garcia said in an interview that he will focus the drive of the fire station to mitigating the effects of climate change.

“Many should know that fire fighting is only 30% of our function, and the other 70% is to prevention,” he said.

He added that since flood frequented Tagum City, the fire station will undergo training and upgrading on water based response and rescue.

He disclosed that his personnel is already trained in responding to flood but with regards to equipment and facilities, he said that the interoperability between them and the local government unit will answer its inadequacy.

Garcia added that he will also focus on the development of the internal organization of the fire station since half of its present personnel will retire from service.

“We are 25 right now and in two years time, half of it is retiring,” he revealed.

As a background, Garcia graduated in a law school through a scholarship from government and his service 25 years in public service started in Philippine Constabulary Integrated National Police (PCIMP).

“What I was is because of the government since they send me to school and what I will become will be for the government,” he said. (BFP DavNor, Jocel Amper / PIA 11, Michael Uy)

Protection group to focus on children during emergencies

DAVAO DEL NORTE, June 24 (PIA)--- When  disaster strikes,  children are assured of a convergence effort  among various agencies to protect them  and to ensure their  psycho-social needs.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) has set for approval of the board the terms of reference of putting into active functions the Regional Child Protection Working Group (RCPWG) which will work as one  of the technical working  of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) .

Attending the  recent RSCWC 11 meeting, CWC coordinator Andre Canilang explained that the RCPWG will serve “as the central coordinating body of all child protection activities at the  regional level”.

It will serve as the regional arm of  the National Child Protection Group which works under the Child Protection Sub-Cluster of the Protection Cluster led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The RCPWG was born out of the need to closely look after the welfare of children especially during wide-scale calamities and emergencies, during onslaught of natural  and even man-made disaster.

Citing the international context, Canilang explained that the international humanitarian system “recognizes child protection as life-saving, and as such child protection activities are included in the criteria of the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF)”. The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF leads in the international child protection cluster system.

As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Philippines is bound to recognize  its universal principles which are highly relevant to humanitarian action.  These principles are anchored on survival and development,  non-discrimination, child participation and best interests of children.

CWC also anchored  child protection on  Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the ““Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of  2010"  designed to build a “disaster-resilient nation and communities.”

Among the set goals of creating the RCPWG are to focus on protection issues that result from or have been exacerbated by major disasters at the regional level, coordinate activities to strengthen the protection of children in emergency affected areas and in other areas where the internally displaced persons (IDPs) sought refuge, and to bring together child protection groups to  ensure timely and consolidated monitoring and reporting of child-protection concerns.

The RCPWG shall be composed of the regional director of DSWD, head of an NGO  with region-wide coverage, members of the RSCWC, representative from the regional DSWD Protective Services Unit, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD),  the local council for the protection of children (LCPC), child-focused social welfare and development agencies (SWDA), international and local NGOs working for children and during emergencies, and other concerned agencies.   (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Mt. Hamiguitan now on UNESCO list of World’s Heritage Sites

DAVAO CITY- The World Heritage Committee has officially inscribed Davao Oriental’s Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in the list of World’s Heritage Sites.

The inscription was held last June 23 in Doha Qatar during the body’s 38th session.

“This inscription is a celebration of the global partnership in our shared vision and desire to conserve these natural gifts for future generations.  It is also a step forward towards the continuation of monitoring and preserving the fragile ecosystems in the mountain amidst changing climate and typhoon patterns,” declared Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon who also attended the inscription.

With and 6,834 hectares the Mt. Hamiguitan Range and Wildlife sanctuary has one of the most diverse wildlife populations in the country. It is known for its sprawling bonsai forest and is also the home of the endangered Philippine Eagle. It was declared a protected area in 2004 under Republic Act 9303.

The International Union of the Conservation of Nature has praised the nomination of Mt. Hamiguitan as exemplary.

The mountain which straddles Mati City and towns of Governor Generoso and San Isidro is the first World Heritage Site in Mindanao and sixth in the country after the Spanish colonial town of Vigan, Banaue Rice Terraces, Tubbataha Reef, Puerto Princesa Undergound River and the churches of San Agustin in Manila, Miag-ao in  Iloilo and Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte.

World Heritage Sites are those inscribed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) for its special cultural and natural significance. (PIA/RG Alama)

Local coop youths grab national awards, positions

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, June 24 (PIA)---  Home-grown Tagum Cooperative recently had  its young members  grab national awards and took national positions of organizations on youth.

Tagum Cooperative Youth Program coordinator Clygenee Dairo said   that  two youth members  grabbed national awards conferred by the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), one was swept into the national board of NATCCO and one took a national position in the National Youth Commission (NYC).

In May, NATCCO conferred to 17-year-old Reven Bryan E. Dela Pena the recognition as  the 2014 Young Leader Awardee and that it  chose 12-year-old Mary Frances M. Derutas as the Aflatoun Child of the Year (2014).

It was also in May that Tagum Cooperative Youth Laboratory roving teller 24-year-old Nikko C. Revita snatched  from five other contenders the national seat of NATCCO Youth Board of Director.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old  Khryzza Mae  J. Pinzon was recently elected as the National Youth Commission (NYC) deputy secretary of the Committee on Youth for Region 11, NYC secretary for National Youth Parliament officer in-charge and the NYC Tagum City Convener.

Dairo revealed that Tagum  Coop made the necessary endorsement of Pinzon  to NYC leading Pinzon to grab such positions.

Dela Pena and Pinzon were former officers of Tagum Coop (TC) Youth  Laboratory Cooperative  established in 2008 to  serves as a training ground for young its members  to manage and operate cooperatives  and to prepare them for membership in regular cooperatives.

TC Youth Laboratory Coop also encourages thrift and savings mobilization among its child and youth members for capital formation as well as provides goods and services and other requirement of its members.

Its branches are established in Tagum City National High School and in Magugpo Pilot Imelda Elementary School, both in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.  

On  the other hand, Tagum Cooperative also runs  Aflatoun Program which is a social and financial education program designed to instill wise financial management as well as social responsibilities among children.    (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

DavNor gov’t conducts activities for employees’ health

DAVAO DEL NORTE, June 24 (PIA) - - - The provincial government here conducted earlier today Medical Outreach for its employees at GSP Building and Bulwagan ng Lalawigan in the government center.

Gale Guadalupe Mortillero, supervising administrative officer of the Human Resource Development Division of the Provincial Human Resource Management Office, said that the outreach activity was part of the health and wellness program of the province for its employees.

Mortillero said that the province wanted to keep the employees fit to serve the public and through the activity they will be guided on their health status.

The services offered in the outreach were medical consultation, tooth extraction, pop smear, therapeutic massage and laboratory examinations like random and fasting blood sugar (RBS/FBS), electrocardiogram (ECG), and urinalysis.

Mortillero said that due to the limitation on the availment of the services, the employees are only given one medical service each.

She said that pre-registration forms were given to the offices ahead of time to schedule the employees on the services they chose.

The medical outreach was a collaborative activity of the PHRMO, Provincial Health Office, Kapalong District Hospital and Provincial Administrator’s Office – Livelihood Management Division. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)

Melinda Gates laud SC’s decision on RH bill

DAVAO CITY- Melinda Gates, the wife of billionaire-philanthropist Bill Gates congratulated the Philippine Government  on the upholding of the Responsible and Reproductive Health Law.

“The passage and enactment of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law is a testament to your courage and to your unwavering support and commitment to women’s health and empowerment.” Reads the excerpt of Melinda Gates’ letter to President Benigno Aquino III sent last April.

Melinda Gates who along with her husband Microsoft mogul Bill was named as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2005, founded one of the world’s biggest private foundations- the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of their  main advocacies is reproductive and maternal health .

The Philippine Supreme Court declared the Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Act Law as constitutional last April 8 2014, the law was signed by President Benigno Aquino III in 2012. Several groups opposing law filed petition in the Supreme Court to challenge its constitutionality.

The RH law mandates public health facilities to provide full access to reproductive health services and public schools to teach age-appropriate reproductive health education to students.

“Through this law and the sustained efforts of the national and local Filipino governments, women’s reproductive health needs will now be met with available, accessible and quality reproductive health services.” Melinda Gates said in her letter.

In the letter Gates reiterated the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation support of the Philippine Government’s effort on reproductive and mental health.

“Our foundation is deeply committed to ensuring women and girls in the world’s poorest countries have access to quality reproductive health information, services and supplies with their beliefs and culture.” Reads part of Gates’ letter. (PIA/RG Alama)

47th Araw ng Davao del Sur to promote the province as best investment hub

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, June 24 (PIA) – “Celebrating Davao del Sur's Best and Beautiful” is the theme of the 47th Araw ng Davao del Sur which officially opened Monday and will culminate on July 1.

Along with the theme is the official tagline “Anhi Ta” which means to live, invest and enjoy in Davao del Sur.

The theme and the tagline both aimed at alluring both domestic and foreign tourists and even the business community to invest in this fast growing province with several tourist destinations.

This year’s commemoration of the founding anniversary of the province is focused on showcasing what is best and beautiful of Davao del Sur to highlight the province as the most strategic and best investment hub in the region, and even in the whole island of Mindanao.

Several activities have been lined-up which include the Agro-Trade Fair, Marching Band competition, BMEG Fiesta Bonanza, 1st CPB Open Dart Tournament (National Ranking Event) and Tribal Olympics.

Other activities to be featured are the Banca Race (Non-Motorized and Motorized), 1st CPB Shootfest, Public Presentation/Fashion Show of Mutya Contestants, 1st CPB Motorcross, 1st CPB Mindanao Wide Airsoft Games, 1st CPB Billiard Tournament, 1st CPB 5 Cock Derby, Lawn Tennis, and 1st CPB Mindanao Open Chess Championship.

One week prior to the anniversary celebration, Davao del Sur constituents will be entertained by nightly performances being staged at Rizal Park in Digos City.

The entertainment presentations started on Monday with the DepEd night, then followed by the Gabi ng Parangal, Gabi ng Pambansang Ahensya, Ikaw ang Bida Talent Search, SP Night, Gabi ng Mutya ng Davao del Sur, and Gabi ng Barangay.

The Gabi ng Pasalamat ni Governor will be held on July 1. Adding color to the nightly events is the San Miguel Beer Festival.

Another exciting event is the National Amateur Boxing which will be held at the Davao del Sur Coliseum, a post celebration scheduled from July 2 until July 9. (PLGU-Davao del Sur/Nilda S. Aniñon)

Localizing data for climate change hazards sought

DAVAO CITY, June 24 (PIA) Members of the academic community urged government to come up with a more specific data on the impact of hazards  on the communities brought about by climate change.

Speaking at the Watershed Summit 2014 at the Ateneo De Davao University,  Dr. Lourdes Simpol, director for the Tropical Institute for Climate Studies at the Ateneo de Davao University observed the data given by the government through the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Space Administration covers a large number of areas and does not convey its impact on the local situation.

She cited the big difference in the data taken from various rain monitoring stations in a pineapple plantation in Polomolok, South Cotabato to the rain-gauge in a government weather station based in General Santos City.

Simpol said the two areas have different rainfall pattern despite the nearness of its location.

“We do not have data on the local level, and what we get are data which is more macro than micro,” she said.

Simpol said their institute intends to come up with forecasting on a watershed level that needs to be learned and studied.

Fr. Daniel Mcnamara SJ, an astro-geophysicist at the ADDU said a specific data on impact of hazards can guide the people on how to prepare, and cope with the impending disaster.

He said storms hitting Mindanao simply indicate that the island is no longer typhoon-free.

City Administrator Melchor Quitain cited the need for the city to strike a balance between the use of water and development.

He said more agricultural  investors intend to put up businesses that harness water.

Quitain said the new investments will surely benefit people in Marilog and Paquibato Districts respectively, who are mostly poor farmers.

“People in these areas are marginalized and the entry of investors is a way of uplifting their way of life,” he said.

Quitain said the city has positioned itself to protect the watershed.

He said the city government is always open to all suggestions from the private sectors and ordinary residents.

“Much water or lack of it, you and I are directly affected,” Quitain said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Tagum hosts nat’l Frisbee championship

By: Tagum City Information Office

Tagum City elevated its image as an emerging sporting venue once more with its recent hosting of the 3rd Philippine Ultimate Championships last May 31 to June 1 held in the spanking 30-hectare Energy Park where 18 teams from different parts of the country slugged it out for national supremacy.

This is the first Ultimate Championship held in Tagum and outside Luzon, and was billed by the Philippine Ultimate Association (PUA), the event organizer, as “successful.”

Breath-taking Frisbee action took place simultaneously at Energy Park and at the modern Davao del Norte Sport Complex in Barangay Mankilam.

Adding color to the event was the participation of celebrity Derek Ramsay, one of the players of Sid Vicious based in Manila.

Tagumenyos witnessed first-hand extreme Frisbee adrenaline rush as different teams outwitted their opponents in series of games marked with speed, agility and strength.

Dumaguete Extreme smashed the Boracay Dragons in a nerve-wracking championship game, 15-9, enough for them to snatch this year’s top prize, the first time a non-Luzon team made it to the top.

Dashing with a six-point lead, Dumaguete Extreme elevated their team from a 9th place finished last year, while Boracay Dragons hiked one digit higher after their 3rd place win in the previous games.

Davao City’s Mulatto came in 3rd this year, after wrecking their neighbors from Davao, The South Side Guerrillas (SSG).

Mayor Allan L. Rellon extended his gratitude to the PUA for choosing Tagum to host the national sporting event.

During the closing of the event, PUA announced that Visayas will host the games next year. | Ric Kevin Conde of CIO Tagum

Google holds training for Davao businesses

DAVAO CITY-  Local businesses willing to learn more about how Google technologies can help their respective ventures  can now avail of trainings which will be held at the newly-completed Small Business Development Center at the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) building.

The trainings will be spearheaded by Google Business Group Davao, a community of business professionals that aims to share Google web technologies for business success.

The trainings to be held on the following dates (June 11, June 25, July 9 and July 23) will focus on Using Google tools for web presence (June 11), expanding business presence in the social media (June 25), web advertising (July 9), and an overview on Google applications that can help businessmen productive (July 23). Training sessions will start at 1 am to 5 p.m.

Dulce Rose Lada,initiator of GBG Davao guesting at Club 888 media forum held last Wednesday (June 4) said the series of training are for free though one will have to register on the site http://bit.ly/GBGTechWorkshop or call the DCCII office (look for Maan) at 2221402 / 09158224849 or email theminfo@davaochamber.com.

Lada said that slots are limited due to the small venue as it will be held at the Cube, Mindanao’s first co-working space located at the DCCCII headquarters.

The Google training is held in partnership with SBDC- a business unit of the DCCCII created to facilitate and assist its local small and medium enterprises and startup businesses.

According to Lada the training series aim to connect, inform and inspire the Davao community to help spur innovation and business growth through the formation of a digital strategy with tools like Analytics, Youtube, Adwords and Adsense.

She added that after the series of workshop, businesses that have shown progress with the use of Google technologies and shown promise in providing impact to communities will be encouraged to take part in GBG’s success stories.

The GBG success stories is a competition collecting and documenting the largest pool of stories from the communities of how Google technologies has enabled them to do something great which impacts the growth of their business, creates social impact, or helps to create more new jobs or companies. (PIA/RG Alama)

Vigan wages crusade to land among 7 wonder cities

TAGUM CITY- “Vote for Vigan!” is  the crusade that the city government of Vigan wages in the entire country as it encourages every Filipino to choose  Vigan among the top 28 cities worldwide that are vying to land among the “New 7 Wonder-Cities of the World”.

Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina appealed support from Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma to promote Vigan in all government media networks and outlets.

In a letter to Secretary Coloma, she also endorsed the Fifth City Council Resolution No. 22-R approved on May 5, 2014, “requesting the PCOO to support the heritage city of Vigan in its quest to be one of the New Seven Wonder Cities of the World.”

Vigan Vice Mayor Lourdes DG Baquiran also sent a separate letter of appeal to Coloma while also submitting the Vigan Council Resolution No. 22-R signed by 10 SangguniangPanlungsod members including the ABC President of Vigan.

Vigan City is the only city in the Philippines left to vie among the 28 cities worldwide that  are aiming to line up among  the Seven Wonder Cities.

Of the 28, seven will be eliminated in July this year while another seven will be dropped from the list of contenders by October of the same year. Final announcement of winners is set in December.

            For Vigan to stay on the final list, both Baquiran and Medina are appealing to all Filipinos to  visit the website www.new7wonders.com/en/cities and cast their votes on line for Vigan.

Meanwhile, the City Council Resolution of Vigan  bares Vigan to have earned the inscription of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) in the World Heritage List in 1999 making it the only World Heritage City in the Philippines.

A small city in Ilocos Sur, Vigan is showing a unique blend of Asian building designs and  construction with European architecture and planning.

It was also conferred the UNESCO World Heritage Best Practice and Conservation Management award  in 2012. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)

Sta. Cruz coffee group gets boost from DTI’s SSF project

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur, June 06 – An association of coffee farmers here gets a boost from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project.

The Jose Rizal Farmers Association (Jorifa), a group of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), occupies an estimated area of 417 hectares which are planted with 53,415 Robusta coffee trees.

Based on the report of DTI-Davao del Sur, each Robusta coffee tree could produce an average of 0.93 kilogram of coffee berries annually which translates to an aggregate harvest of 50,000 kilograms per year.
With the lack of required facilities to process these berries into dried green coffee beans, the group only enjoys an income of P8 to P10 per kilogram. Thus, they only rake in an annual gross sales of P400,000 to P500,000.
DTI-Davao del Sur officer-in-charge Eulogio C. Orevillo said with the provision of the necessary SSF, it is projected that Jorifa will be able to process 20,500 kilograms of dried coffee beans per year, with a recovery rate of 41 percent.

“With the buying price ranging from P82 to P120 per kilogram, Jorifa’s annual gross sales would reach P2.4 million, which will truly give a boost to their operations,” he said.

The P82 per kilogram buying price is being enjoyed by dried green coffee beans producers from October to December, while the buying price reaches P120 per kilogram from May until June.

“Our coffee farmers really have to optimize the full potential of their product. It’s not enough to produce coffee berries. You need to find a way on how to give some value-adding to it. Thus, the existence of this project,” he said.

The SSF program of DTI was launched last year with the aim to address the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain.

These SSF projects are common service facilities or production centers for certain processes to give MSMEs access to a better technology and more sophisticated equipment to accelerate their bid for competitiveness and help them graduate to a next level where they could tap a better and wider market and be integrated in the global supply chain.

Last year, DTI-Davao del Sur was able to turn-over a total of five SSF projects, out of the 13 approved. For this year, the office targets to approve eight. (DTI-11/JenMendoza)

DTI, WTO engage Davao exporters in non-tariff measures seminar

DAVAO CITY, June 05 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have recently engaged Davao trade officials and exporters in a seminar in the city which primarily discussed non-tariff measures.

DTI and WTO have intensified its advocacy efforts in providing knowledge and explanation on the importance for a WTO member country to impose non-tariff measures especially since the decline of tariffs in the importation and exportation of products.

JurgenRichtering, chief of the World Trade Organization market access intelligence section, said non-tariff measures aim to protect the local industries in a country from unfair trade practices in the international market.

According to a web definition, non-tariff measures refer to government measures other than tariffs that restrict trade flows.

Two of the common regulations that were discussed during the two-day seminar-workshop held on June 2-3 at the Pinnacle Hotel, were the sanitary and phytosanitary or SPS measures and the technical barriers to trade or TBT measures.

Richtering explained that the application of SPS measures is necessary for the protection of human, animals, plants and their health against the risks caused for example by pesticides and diseases that could be carried by the goods being imported or exported.

“There are countries that require pesticide certification or pest traceability from the farm to export market,” cited Magnolia M. Uy, commercial attaché for the Philippine Trade and Investment Center based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The purpose of the technical barriers to trade o TBT measures, meanwhile, is to avoid unnecessary barriers to international trade and non-discrimination between like products in the international market, Richtering said.

The TBT measures ensure that industrial and agricultural products are in accordance to international quality standards before they could be allowed entry into a country.

Aside from the 32 exporters who attended the seminar, 34 representatives of various government agencies have also been part of the non-tariff measures seminar in Davao.

The seminar was part of the series of information sessions under the Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP) of DTI which aims to provide capacity for exporters to compete in other countries and to prepare them in the coming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

“We have to prepare the exporters, and guide them what to do,” said Sonia Rodriguez, chief of the Export Trade Facilitation Division under DTI Business Matching Center.

She said the WTO seminar in Davao was the first to be conducted outside Metro Manila, adding that more advocacy activities under PECP will push through in the near future. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)