ComVal masons keep up on their skills

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley Province, Apr. 22 – Some 50 masons in the province has build a two-classroom building at Magsaysay National High School- Annex in Brgy. Magsaysay, Nabunturan as part of their ten-day production training.

The training facilitated by the provincial government and partner-sponsoring agencies was done April 10-19 this year.The school construction is a project under the Kalinga sa Kabataan, Bayanihan sa Paaralan, a program initiated by Governor Arturo T. Uy in support to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Included in the training was a three-day performance assessment before the trainees received their respective National Certificates (level II & III) from Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) during the graduation.

Half of the participants took the assessment NC II and the other half for the NC III.The training was jointly sponsored by the Association of Construction & Informal Workers (ACIW), TESDA, PGO, HOLCIM Philippines, municipal and barangay LGUs, and the DepEd.The trainees were each provided with ten sacks of cement, working equipment and tools, safety shoes, and hard hots courtesy of HOLCIM.

With his advocacy and commitment to produce more skilled Comvalenyos, Gov. Uy is fully supporting the conduct of different skills training programs in partnership with other agencies.

Bob Mirasol, the Provincial Community Training & Employment coordinator, said these masons who started from NC I level of eligibility and underwent series of skills training are currently employed at the provincial government and the local government units.  (IDS-Comval/Grace Almedilla)

Mass circumcision held at convergence in Panabo

PANABO CITY April 23- Hundreds of Dabaonon boys have begun the journey into adulthood during mass circumcision rituals held as part of the numerous health and social services brought by the Provincial Capitol to the far-flung barangays.

Since the start of the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development in August last year, the number of boys who have gone under the knife has only averaged from 20 to 30 for each convergence outreach held.

However, the number of boys who had signified to have their foreskins surgically removed drastically surged to 156 at the conduct of the convergence activity in Barangay Malativas, Panabo City last April 20, 2012.

Once again, thousands of residents flocked to the eight convergence outreach this year to avail of various services served by the frontline offices of the province, together with the soldiers under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade and the elements of the provincial police office.

But, the sudden influx of boys has brought some inconvenience to the surgical team, since they were only able to accommodate 120 boys during the day due to time constraints.This has prompted Provincial Health Officer Dr. Agapito Hornido to reschedule more rounds of circumcision outreach in the neighboring barangays of Consolacion and Kauswagan in the coming weeks.

He said the boys who were not served in Malativas will be prioritized on these events.

Army’s P17.26 Million brgy project completed

Banaybanay, Davao Oriental April 23 – A total of five infrastructure projects worth P17.26 Million recommended thru the Philippine Army’s “Kalayaan sa Barangay” Project (KBP) were turned over last April 18 at Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

The five Barangay Infrastructure Projects (BIPs) in Davao Oriental consisted of Pintatagan Bridge (PhP2.9 M), Puntalinao Water System Expansion (PhP2.8 M), San Vicente Water System Expansion (PhP 2.8 M), Sitio Buhangin Footbridge (PhP5 M), and Mapagba Boatlanding.

The BIPs aim to accelerate economic growth in Mindanao and ensure that as many people as possible benefit from the said economic growth.  Furthermore, Growth Equity for Mindanao (GEM) USAID supports the project on which the benefits are equitably distributed and to help bring about and consolidate peace in Mindanao.

The turnover of the Boatlanding was graced by Davao Oriental Vice-Governor Mayo Almario, Councilors from Banaybanay and representatives from GEM, USAID.The Mapagba Boatlanding located at Brgy. Maputi, Banaybanay is the fifth Project completed in Davao Oriental funded by GEM, USAID, with counterparts from Offices of the Provincial, Congresswoman of District 2-Davao Oriental and Banaybanay Municipality.

Diosdado Satera, Brgy. Captain of Maputi, expressed his gratitude to GEM-USAID, the LGU and Office of the Congresswoman for the funds and to 28th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, led by Lt. Col. Leopoldo Imbang Jr., who lobbied the project to the LGUs for the national government counterpart.

“This is an opportunity to promote Davao Oriental having the boatlanding in this Barangay.  With your help, we will be able to develop this area and provide opportunity to my kababayan to improve their economic condition,” Satera said.

According to Satera, the barangay will develop the boatlanding into one of the top tourist spots in Davao Oriental which is a good access to the Banaybanay’s Burias, the Vanishing Island. (10th ID pr)

Residents of Sta. Cruz benefit in “Serbisyo Caravan”

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur – The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies Region XI (ARENA XI) recently conducted a “Serbisyo Caravan” a one-stop-shop delivery of government services to the residents of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur last April 20.

The Municipality of Sta. Cruz, with the cooperation of 39th Infantry Battalion, hosted the first stop of the caravan, where about 30 National Government Agencies (NGAs) provided their respective programs and services to the people.Beneficiaries were gathered at the municipal gym, while some services from the different NGAs were provided at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

“The caravan aims to bring the national government programs closer to the people, especially to the vulnerable sector of the communities,” Lt. Col. Oliver R. Artuz, Battalion Commander of the 39th IB said.Government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) introduced to the residents the Beneficiary Update System, Compliance Verification System and Grievance Redress System while the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) conducted registration and membership to senior citizens in the area.

The Department of Health (DOH) assisted rural health units in the distribution of free medicines and provided information and communication (IEC) materials to educate residents on health issues. They also initiated free consultation and check-up.The National Food Authority (NFA) distributed rice through rolling stores, and held advocacy campaign on their programs.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted demonstrations and consultancy services on food processing.The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) distributed land titles while the Department of Agriculture (DA) handled technical education on its different banner programs.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Land Transportation Office (LTO) conducted lectures to applicants for proper licensing.Meanwhile, Department of Education (DepEd) provided information on the K+12 program to the Parents/Teachers Associations (PTAs) and distributed school supplies and bags to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) students and Badjao elementary pupils of Apo Beach.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) tendered information on K+12, skills demonstration and awarding of scholarship grants at the Sta.

Cruz National High School.Consultations, dialogues and information drive with their beneficiaries and the general public were conducted by agencies like Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Audit (CA), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), among others.“Serbisyo Caravan is a novel approach to public service,” ARENA President and DBM Director Achilles Gerard C. Bravo said.

The 39th IB, aside from providing security to all of the participants, also facilitated dental extraction and other related dental services through the services of military dentists. (Captain Raul T Villegas, CMO  39IB)

DepEd declares Tagum City national champion in ALS

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Apr. 22 – The Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Tagum City was cited as this year’s 1st Placer National Champion for Most Efficient City Division in the implementation of the Alternative Learning System.DepEd’s Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) has accorded the award to said division, citing the very strategic partnership of DepEd and the Local Government of Tagum City.

BALS Director Carolina Guerero bestowed the award to DepEd Tagum City Division with a plaque and cash prize of P100,000 on April 12, 2012 at the Teachers Camp, in Baguio City.Fifteen Regions vied for the prestigious National Awards which was shortlisted by DepEd–BALS panel committees into five finalists in the span of two months.

The final verdict was announced during the awarding ceremony last April 12 in Baguio City that placed Tagum City as the National Champion, followed by Cagayan de Oro City as 2nd; Butuan City, 3rd; Naga City, 4th; and Tuguegarao City, 5th. This award adds to the feathers on Tagum’s cap when it comes to alternative learning system.

Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy extended his congratulations to DepEd Tagum headed by its Tagum City School Divisions Superintendent Nenita E. Lumaad for yet another “job well done” during the city employees Monday flag-raising ceremony on April 16.

The local chief executive emphasized that with or without awards, his administration will work closely with DepEd Tagum in giving equal opportunities to the less-privileged through the ALS. (CIO-Tagum City)

NERBAC-DavOr starts 2nd round of info caravan cum registration

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Apr. 23 – The National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center-Davao Oriental (NERBAC-DO) has initiated recently another round of information caravan cum registration this 2012 starting with the Municipality of Lupon, Davao Oriental.

The activity was participated in by the member agencies of the center in cooperation with local government unit (LGU) of Lupon.The member agencies included the Home Mutual Development (Pag-IBIG) Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Social Security System (SSS), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DTI-Davao Oriental provincial director Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said the support of LGU Lupon, through Mayor Domingo A. Lim, was instrumental in making the activity possible.A total of 481 people registered during the activity representing the business community, municipal employees, national government agencies and officials.

In his opening message, Lim expressed appreciation to the NERBAC-Davao Oriental team.“It is of great help to us that these agencies came down to provide and access their services.

We save time and resources in registering our businesses here in Lupon, without the need of going to Mati, Tagum and/or Davao City. We should be thankful for this chance,” he said.

DTI-DO chief trade and industry development specialist Jose L. Calub made a brief orientation on the NERBAC-DO.It was followed by the presentations of programs and services of the representatives of participating agencies.An open forum was also done to give time for clarifications from participants.

After the briefing, actual registration of businesses was conducted.The activity achieved four registrations for DTI; ten applications were approved by SSS; Pag-IBIG got six clients registered; and Land Bank distributed over 450 Cash Cards.

Unaccounted inquiries relative to membership and benefits were also received by SSS and PAG-IBIG on that day.“The days’ activity was a success, leveraging on agency collaboration, strong linkage and complementing resources,” Ambi said. (DTI-11/ZIR/JMM)

Optimized plant operation provides reliable power supply in DavSur

STA. CRUZ, Davao  del  Sur, Apr. 23 – After  generating  over  600  GWh  last  year from its run-of-river  hydropower  plants  in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and Davao, Hedcor attests its high reliability when it comes to power generation.“We are producing power efficiently and reliably for more than 30 years now,” Hedcor Vice President Boy Jabonillo said.

“Reliability for us means we deliver to our customers as promised. Making our plants reliable to produce power is a year-round responsibility,” Jabonillo added. He pointed out three reasons why Hedcor hydropower system is reliable.

First, Hedcor makes sure its plants are readily available to generate power.  Hedcor maintains its plant through constant monitoring of equipment and its annual preventive maintenance schedule for optimum performance throughout the year. In fact, the plants are averaging 98% reliable.

Second, Hedcor continues to build more run-of-river hydropower plants to address the growing demands of power in the regions.In Mindanao, there are five plants that Hedcor is currently developing, it will bring 55 MW of additional capacity to Davao City, Davao del Sur and Bukidnon in 2014.“We have a unique operational ability in which we can provide energy regularly to power our customers because water is accessible in our area.”

Jabonillo said.Lastly, Hedcor intensifies its watershed management activities including reforestation, river clean up and riverbank stabilization as the company’s operations is highly dependent on available water.“A healthy watershed ensures us water will always be available”, he said.

Hedcor,  the AboitizPower wholly-owned subsidiary, is the largest developer of  run-of-river  hydropower  systems  with  19  generating  plants  in the country.

The five projects are under application with the Department of Energy as  Renewable  Energy (RE) Projects under the Renewable Energy Act.Once RE Contracts are issued, two of the five plants can start constructing while the three can progress to detailed design.

Without the RE Contract,Hedcor cannot  get  the  other  permits  to  progress  the  project  to construction. (Hedcor)