Military and police set to conduct unity march on March 8

DAVAO CITY, Feb 26 (PIA) The military and police assured that there are no coup rumors in Davao Region as an offshoot of the Mamasapano incident that killed 44 police commandos, 18 Moro rebels and several civilians.

Colonel Romeo Brawner, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command said that the military leadership is happy that professionalism reigns among the officers, men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines here.

He said no one among the military will join a coup d’etat.

“There are no coup rumors in Eastern Mindanao Command,” Brawner said.

Senior Superintendent Joseph Sepulchre, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Police Regional Office 11 said that the police and military in the region are set to hold a unity march on March 8.

He said the purpose of the peace walk is to ask higher authorities to conduct proper investigation on the Mamasapano incident and to draw accountability for those responsible for the event.

Sepulchre said the Davao Region Police Office awaits the result of the investigation being conducted by the Board of Inquiry organized by the national leadership of the Philippine National Police on the Mamasapano incident.

He said the police here in the region can also express dissent through peaceful means by conducting a peace walk held recently by the police and military in Metro Manila.

“Let’s wait for the result of the investigation,” Sepulchre said.

He said the police only do criminal investigation and do not join coup d’etat.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

IGaCoS holds anti-smoking forum

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL- The strong desire to end smoking and promote healthy lifestyle and healthy environment, Davao Del Norte Hospital (DDNH)– IGaCoS  Zone  called a Forum with  Stakeholders  on Smoke Cessation Program  at the  Conference Room of the Administrative Building, Penaplata, Samal Dostrict on February 20.

About 50 establishment owners and managers within 100 meters  from the hospital were invited for the forum aimed to enhance awareness on the Smoke Cessation Program of the hospital pursuant to Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular no. 17,  Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2009-0010 and IGaCoS City Ordinance no. 2013-223 also known as “An Ordinance Approving the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking of the Island Garden City of Samal.

During the consultation–forum, the owners of the establishments were requested to prohibit selling cigarette or e cigarette and or allow tobacco promotional advertisements around the hospital vicinity as the hospital aimed a  smoke free hospital compound.

Committee on Health and Sanitation Chairman City Councillor Hon. Napoleon Roberto C. Villarica appreciated the initiative made by  Davao Del Norte Hospital-Samal Zone  especially upholding healthy lifestyle through the Smoking Cessation Program in accordance to the City Ordinance on Anti-Smoking  which he sponsored.

Hon. Villarica explained the City Ordinance on Anti-Smoking specifically section 7 on the Total  Ban  of selling  all kinds of cigarettes  products within 100 meters from all government premises; prohibition of   promotional advertisements within all government premises  and prohibition on accepting sponsorships.  He, however, said any person can smoke only in area/room  duly designated by the management as smoking area  of the establishment but not violating the ordinance.

DDNH-IGaCoS Zone Smoking Cessation Program In-Charge Frank C. Supangan presented the established Smoke Cessation Clinic as the hospital’s initiative in support to help curb smoking habit.  He said the clinic offers counselling, lecture on the importance of healthy lifestyle and ill effects of smoking and other programs to help facilitate end smoking habit.

Participants of the forum  signified their support to the program by indicating their signature at the prepared tarpaulin on  Smoking  Cessation Program Pledge of Commitment.

City Health Officer Dr. Dennis Carlos  Flores  lauded  the moved initiated by DDNH –IGaCoS Zone, in its pursuit for a smoke free hospital  and assured CHO’s support to the Smoke Cessation Program.

Philippine National Police Chief of Police P/Supt Benedicto Frias Faco present during the forum expressed support to the program since he himself don’t smoke.  Faco stressed their responsibility to apprehend violators of the anti-smoking ordinance.  He also cited Security Service Unit of the city government and Barangay Tanods  who were also authorized and empowered to arrest violators.

The city government of IGaCoS in coordination and support of the national agencies and private sectors implement programs and projects  to improve the welfare of the people, the constituents as well were encouraged to cooperate and support the program  and be law abiding citizen. (MTA Samal cio.) 

47 skills training beneficiaries receives NCII in Panabo

PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte, February 26, 2015 – The 47 skills training beneficiaries on Massage Therapy and Automotive Servicing has received their National Certification Level II or NCII as they successfully completed the required hours needed by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

Catherine Alquizalas, plain housewife and among the outstanding student expressed her gratitude to the LGU Panabo and PESO Panabo for the opportunity to gained more knowledge and skills. “This is a big help for me and to my family to have an extra income,” Mrs. Alquizalas said during their graduation rites last February 20, 2015 at ARF Gym,

According PESO Manager Cherelle Espinosa the Therapy Training had started last September 29, 2015 wherein beneficiaries were required to attend for 560 hours of lectures and practical works at Panabo Training Center located at the back of New City hall.

They had also undergone 60 hours of On-the-Job Training at Medical Mission Group Hospital and health Services COOP. Meanwhile, 680 hours for Automotive Servicing held at Valiant Technical Institute Assessment Center, Inc. (VTIACI) in Brgy. Salvacion.

Present during the event were City Councilors Hon. Roland Ang and Hon. Emeterio Blasé who both lauded their hard work and achievements. They also mentioned the plans and projects of the late City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr., and the present leadership of Mayor Engr. James Gamao with the 6th City Council who gave their strong support for the social progress and development of Panabo City.

In support of the program, the city government has created measures through city ordinance no. 07-14 also known as Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Ordinance authored by Hon. Ang. This aims for the development of competent workforce in which obtaining employment after the training course would be highly possible.

The technical course was made possible by City Government of Panabo through Community Skills and Training Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Program (CSTEP) in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), under the School-based and Community-based training courses of the Grassroots Participatory Budget Process (GPBP).

GPBP is a new government budgeting system that allowed civil society groups and local communities to draft and identify their own projects to determine programs will be suited for their locality with the active involvement of the people.

Also present during the awarding of diplomas and certificates were City Councilor Ferdinand Gocon, TESDA Davao Del Norte Provincial Director Dr. Remegias Timonio, Ed.,D., VTIACI President Joedilito Valiente and International Spiritual and Material Therapeutic and Massage Tagum City, Inc.(ISMTMTCI) School President Engr. Alfredo Edosma.(Jasz Paras / CIO Panabo)

Tagum pays tribute to original settlers through Kagikan Exhibit

TAGUM CITY, February 26, 2015 - For the first time since the foundation of Tagum as a political and territorial subdivision over seventy years ago, the tri-people of the City was featured in an Araw ng Tagum 2015 Exhibit succinctly titled “Kagikan.”

The Kagikan Exhibit, which formally opened on February 23, 2015 at the Gaisano Mall of Tagum Atrium and will run through March 7, 2015, highlighted the three groups that comprise the people of the City of Tagum: the Indigenous Peoples (the Lumads), the Muslim and the Pioneer Migrant Settlers who were originally from the northern islands of Luzon, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Leyte.

The activity featured the Traditional Costumes, Utensils, Musical Instruments, and Accessories of both the Tribal and Muslim communities and the written account or stories of the early migrant settlers who first came to Tagum between the years 1900 and 1939 when it was still a municipal district of the Province of Davao, to search for greener pasture. The traditional food of both the Lumads and the Muslims were also prepared for the viewing public.

Spearheaded by the City Information Office as this year’s edition of the office’s annual exhibit, the show’s opening was witnessed by the different Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives to the city’s 23 barangays, other members of the cultural communities and  the Muslims who were all garbed in their traditional and colorful dresses. The direct descendants of the early settlers, who expressed gratitude for the inclusion of their respective forefather in the celebration, were also present.

Also in attendance were Hon. Alan D. Zulueta, MDMG, Ms. Merly Enriquez, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples representative, Ms. Nora C. Lupiba, City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Mary Grace Terante, Acting Economic Enterprise Manager, Dr. Arnel Florendo, City Health Officer, Ms. Leila Ibita, DepEd ALS Supervisor, and Ms. Carmen B. Apura, Ms. Lourdes Caasi and Ms. Marlene R. Alastra who are among the key people of the trio celebration. (Richi D. Gulle of CIO- Tagum)