Davao Oriental Super Thypoon Pablo Incident

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New Corella wins Green Banner award anew

NEW CORELLA, DAVAO DEL NORTE There is nothing sweeter for New Corella than to receive Regional Green Banner Award for the second time around. The town seized such award in the municipal level category during 2011 regional nutrition awarding ceremony held at Garden Oases Resort and Convention Center, Davao City. In 2010, it received the same award as Mayor Nestor “Bebot” Alcoran was recognized as green banner awardee. New Corella's ALCORAN Services The initials is termed as the town's compass to become Davao Del Norte’s cartel for nutrition excellence was the executive thrust coined as Alleviating Life by Creating Opportunities and Rendering Accessible Network of (ALCORAN) Services. This propelled the Municipal Nutrition Committee (MNC) to streamline government resources and forge partnership with various stakeholders. Intervention Schemes The committee ensured the efficient implementation of health and nutrition program through legislation and other related services. It activated barangay nutrition committees (BNC) in 20 barangays to mobilize its volunteers like brgy. nutrition scholars (BNS), brgy. health workers (BHW) and brgy. extension workers (BEW) with the help of the Council of Women, Brgy. Captain’s Spouses Association, Women’s Sunrise Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lapanday, Doña Luisa Foundation, Sumifru and other socio-civic organizations. This convergence has sustained “Gulayan sa Kabahayan” to bring healthy food in the family table by enormous planting of malunggay and other green leafy and yellow vegetables in the backyard of households, schools and purok centers. It also facilitated the achievement of other programs that includes nutrition education, micronutrient supplementation, food fortification, supplementary feeding, and nutrition essential in maternal and child health care services, among others. Provision of technical skills and livelihood trainings such as carpentry, masonry, driving, computer hardware servicing, food processing, meat processing, animal production, handicraft and soap making harmonized the nutrition activities. The trainings generated income development for families with malnourished children. Best Practices The establishment of dairy processing plant in New Corella strengthened the efforts of the government to combat malnutrition. Geared towards the vision of Mayor Alcoran that every child will drink a glass of milk daily, MNC integrated milk drinking to supplementary feeding for pre-schoolers. The committee guaranteed food sufficiency through vegetable and goat production. This has been monitored in the regular conduct of evaluation on “Gulayan sa Barangay”. Production of Bio-N and organic fertilizer complemented also its implementation. Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) projects like potable water system, rubber nursery production and other infrastructure development contributed to the reduction of malnourishment. Parallel to said contribution was the construction of Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) under Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) and Growth Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. For better focus on nutrition services, MNC Chair Mayor Alcoran shared the responsibility with the barangay by organizing Brgy. Nutrition Action Officers (BNAO) to coordinate with the MNAO. Lambo New Corellahanon True to his commitment to uplift New Corellahanon families, Mayor Alcoran reported that the prevalence of severely underweight (SU) and underweight (UW) pre-schoolers had reduced from 7.86% to 6.59%; and of schoolchildren, from 7.4% to 6.7% in 2010-2011. “This significant rate of reduction only tells that we are consistent in our dream to have healthy, happy and intelligent children in the 21st century,” expressed the mayor. He lauded too the untiring works of the MNC members and the convergent efforts of stakeholders that raised New Corella again its green banner. (New Corella, MIO)

Army clear landmine blast site in DavOr

DAVAO CITY, January 23 (PIA) Members of the 28th Infantry Battalion recovered the electric wire which the rebels used as detonating cord in blowing up a military convoy which left one soldier killed and 13 others wounded in Sitio Mainit, Barangay Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental last 12:20 am Tuesday (Jan. 22). Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the rebel used a command detonated improvised explosive device in inflicting harm on the soldiers who were conducting security and relief operation in the area as government reaches out to remote places to assist survivors of typhoon Pablo. He said that as of 9:00 am Wednesday, soldiers cleared the area already from improvised landmines to ensure the safety of passersby. Paniza said among the 13 wounded, four victims are in the hospital, where two of them remain in critical condition. “All survivors of the blast remain in the hospital for medical treatment,” he said. Paniza said the blast in Lupon happened at the time when the anti-insurgency drive had been turned over to its local government to handle. He observed that the rebels were are able to create chaos in Barangay Calapagan since it is located in the boundary shared with Maragusan, Compostela Valley, where they can easily run to evade pursuing government troops. “Certainly, the rebels can still move in the boundary areas, even if we declare Lupon as cleared from their influence,” Paniza said. He clarified that the troops were conducting inspection and risk-assessment of the extent of landslides in the area caused by the bad weather when the incident happened. Paniza said the soldiers even left a team as responders in case landslide and flash flood would occur. “The soldiers were involved in the ongoing relief operation when the incident happened,” he said. Paniza said the blast could have killed all soldiers if the military truck was weak enough to handle the explosion. He lamented that the rebels continue to defy the Comprehensive Agreement in the Respect for Human Rights and International Law which stressed the respect for the individual’s right to life. “It seems that their leaders who signed the agreement with our government no longer control their members on the ground which describes the continued defiance on the CARHRIHL,” Paniza said. Major Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, commanding officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion said that the series of violent incidents perpetrated by the rebels only demonstrate that they want their presence felt, since they lost their relevance to the communities immediately after typhoon Pablo hit Davao Region. “The rebels simply want to get the attention of the people. Since Day One of the rescue and relief operation, the rebel movement was not felt amid the chaos brought about by the storm. They seemingly want to grab the limelight and destroy the system instituted by government to help the survivors of typhoon Pablo,” he said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem Dalumpines)

Flood takes heavy toll on agri in Carmen town

DAVAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 23 (PIA): The Municipality of Carmen is losing more than P21 million in agriculture and fisheries when floodwaters from three major rivers have swamped for two days its rice fields and aquaculture fishpens. Municipal Mayor Marcelino Perandos in an interview Tuesday said the massive flooding that has hit his town since Sunday evening (Jan. 20) has displaced a number of families and has substantially ruined farming livelihood of his people. In a separate interview, Municipal Agriculture Officer Maximo Pillotes placed estimates of damaged rice farms at 2,003 hectares which were either at newly transplanted stage, vegetative stage or still at their seed-bed stage. Brackish and fresh-water fishponds with a combined land area of 130 hectares have also lost productivity when Liboganon, Tuganay and Ising rivers have spawned huge volume of flood-waters for about four days now due to continuous raining caused by the tail-end of the cold-front. Rice farms and fishponds are still nowhere in sight as rice paddies have been submerged in about two meters of flood waters, turning Carmen’s wide rice farms into a sea of murky waters which have spilled over more than 2 kilometer stretch of the national highway along barangays Tuganay and Guadalupe. Noting the recent flooding as the second of such magnitude he had witnessed since 1982, Perandos called on concerned government agencies and even the humanitarian agencies to assist his town recover. On top of food assistance and medicine for affected families, he is also appealing for rice seeds, rice inputs and biologics for livestock. Meanwhile, Perandos prioritized relief distribution to agriculture-dependent barangays particularly in Tuganay, Gualupe and Maba-os among others where constituents are largely dependent on farming. “While others are disrupted from doing their jobs, people there have nothing else as their source of income,” he said as noted heavy loss in agriculture. Only one barangay is declared not affected. The rest of the 20 barangays suffered a blow due to massive flooding. Flooded barangays are Ising, Tuganay, Guadalupe, Mabaus, Salvacion, Anibongan, San Isidro, New Camiling, Asuncion, Cebulano, Mangalcal, Sto. Nino, Alejal, Taba, Magsaysay, Tubod, La Paz, Tibulao and Mabuhay. The flood has caused disruption of normal flow of daily lives to some 16,300 families and even displaced a total of 3,405 families who have sought refuge at the municipal and barangay gymnasiums and barangay centers. Others, however, prefer to stay along the national highway. The municipal government had already dispatched Tuesday 2,000 family food packs and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) sent Monday some 2,500 packs of relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Perandos bared efforts to stretch relief provisions from DSWD by repacking the food packs of 15 kilos of rice into five kilos “so more can benefit from the assistance.” He appealed for more relief assistance to include water supply, as he expected his constituents to experience more flooding occurrences, and would eventually be displaced more often. “This is due to the tail-end of the cold-front, but PAGASA says we will be experiencing inter-tropical convergence zone. If these (weather conditions) come more often, we will again be flooded,” he said. He raised concern on frequents floods to hit his town as the river dikes had been destroyed causing flood-waters to spread all over his town. (PIA XI/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Agri damage in DavNor reach P301M

TAGUM CITY-Continuous rains that has resulted to flooding in Davao del Norte province has resulted to a cumulative agriculture damage amounting to P301,705,290 as of January 21, 2013. This is only a partial and initial result as it does not inlcude the agricultural damages in the municipality of Kapalong yet. “The damage in agricultural is greater now compared to the damages resulting from Typhoon Pablo because the water level is higher now,” Provincial Agriculturist Dominador Encarnacion said. Encarnacion said up to 11,724.85 hectares of land and 1,952 farmers have been affected by the flooding in almost 64 barangays in the municipalities of Asuncion, New Corella, Carmen, Sto. Tomas and B.E. Dujali. Hardest hit was the municipality of Carmen with agricultural damage worth P152,390,340 affecting 3,094.15 hectares and up top 1,944 farmers in 48 barangays. He said a total of 2,267.15 hectares of reproductive ricelands belonging to 1,694 farmers were submerged in floodwaters resulting to damages worth P20,510,340 million. While only 690 hectares of banana farms have been destroyed by the floodwaters,, it has a higher value at P124.2 million. Vegetable farms in Carmen were also destroyed with damages amounting to P7 million. Also affected, he added, were brackish bangus, harvestable freshwater tilapia and hito. Encarnacion said 4,381 hectares of vegetative rice farms in Sto. Tomas worth P100.779 million were also destroyed by the flood. Up to 2,477 hectares of agricultural products worth P25.790 million have also been destroyed in Asuncion. The lands were planted to rice, corn, cavendish banana, cardaba banana, cacao and vegetables. In B.E. Dujali, P18.566 million worth of damages were recorded due to the destruction of 2,380 hectares of land planted banana, rice and vegetable as well as fgish pond and fresh water ponds. Up to 69 hectares of fishponds in Panabo City have also been destroyed by the recent flooding amounting to P3.175 million.(lovely a. Carillo)

DepEd DavNor declared indefinite suspension of classes

TAGUM CITY-The Department of Education Division of Davao del Norte has ordered the indefinite suspension of classes in the elementary and high school levels of the areas greatly affected by the flooding. “We have directed our district supervisors to suspend classes in the areas affected by the flood starting Monday,” DepEd Davao del Norte Division officer-in-charge Aurelio Divinagracia said. The suspension order stands for as long as the floodwaters subside, he added. He said majority of the schools in Carmen are affected by the flooding. Central is totally submerged and while Tuganay is only partially submerged, he said, there are no students because all the residential areas here are flooded. In New Corella, classes in Misaoy Elementary School has been suspended because the school was used as an evaucation center. Almost all schools in Kapalong, he added, are also submerged in water as of Tuesday. Divinagracia said three schools in Sto. Tomas including Esperanza Elementary and Talomo schools have suspended classes. Classes are also suspended in tanglaop Elementary and High School in Dujali as it is submerged in water, he added. He clarified that the suspension of classes only applies to those affected by the flooding so classes will continue in the areas not at all affected by the floodwaters or used as evacuation centers. Despite the suspension of classes in flood-affected schools, he said, the teachers reported to their classrooms to secure the documents. Divinagracia said the students have to attend the make-up classes scheduled whole day during Saturdays once the weather returns to normal.(lovely a. Carillo)

Rebels chided anew for DavOr ambush

MAWAB, COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Jan 23 (PIA) The military chided the communist rebels anew for the explosion of an improvised explosive device that left one soldier killed and six injured last Tuesday (Jan.22) in Sitio Mainit, Barangay Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental. Lt. Colonel Lyndon Paniza, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division said the New People’s Army once more showed its cruelty by disrupting a humanitarian activity intended for the survivors of typhoon Pablo. He identified the lone fatality as Private First Class Jhasam Diaz, a member of the 28th Infantry Battalion. Paniza said Diaz passed away while undergoing treatment at the provincial hospital of Davao Oriental. He said the six other survivors are being treated for their injuries. “The soldiers on board two Army trucks were going back to their headquarters from security and rehabilitation operation of the typhoon Pablo when an improvised landmine exploded hitting the rear portion of the second vehicle,” he said. Paniza lamented that with the use of IEDs, the rebels continue to defy international agreements that guarantee the protection of lives and human rights. (PIA XI- Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Davao City looks to revise zoning plan of flood areas

DAVAO CITY Jan. 23 (PIA)- The City Planning and Development Office of Davao City is eyeing the revision of its Comprehensive Land Use Plan particularly in reclassifying flood-prone areas. Robbie Alabado CPDO head said that flood-prone areas as identified in the flood map prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in 2007 will be reclassified from residential zones into parks and commercials zones. He said that the revisions in the city’s zoning ordinance will take into consideration geo-hazard maps and Geographic Information System to determine areas which are not suitable for residential zones. Alabado said that in the 1996 revision of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan ordinance they have identified large amount of areas suitable for residential communities. The January 20 flooding brought about by continuous rains swelled the Davao River and inundating riverside residential areas such as Jade Valley, Gem Village and Matina Gravahan. About 14,000 families or about 42,000 individuals were affected by the recent flooding. Alabado said that identified flood prone areas will be zoned into parks and recreation areas, commercial and industrial zones. “As long as hindi tinitirahan ng tao.” (As long as it is not inhabited) As for existing residential communities in flood prone areas, Alabado said they could require the areas to higher building standards. He said that most of the residents have already adjusted to the floods in the areas which occur every 10 years. “Others have left the area, sold their properties or built second floors in their houses.” Alabado said referring to the residents of the flood-prone areas. (PIA/RG Alama)

(Weather Update): Brewing LPA may affect Mindanao this week –PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday they are monitoring a new “cloud cluster” near Mindanao that may develop into a low pressure area (LPA) within two to three days. Based on the numerical models, PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura said that once it becomes an LPA, it will bring occasional light to moderate rains in most parts of MindanaoWednesday or Thursday. Pura said that “latest models are showing that it has a slim chance of becoming a cyclone.” In case it does strengthen into a cyclone, he said it will be named “Crising” – the third tropical cyclone to visit the country this year. So far, Pura said the tail-end of a cold front is affecting Mindanao while the northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon and Visayas. In its advisory, PAGASA said that Davao region and SOCCSKSARGEN will experience cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides while the rest of Mindanao will have light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms. Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Cagayan Valley and Aurora and Quezon provinces will be cloudy with occasional light to moderate rain. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with brief light rain. Also, moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. PAGASA also said strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao. "Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. Meanwhile, Pura said expect temperature in Metro Manila to be a little warmer due to weakening of the northeast monsoon. He said that temperature in Metro Manila on Tuesday morning is 22.8 degrees Celsius compared to 18.8 degrees Celsius on Monday morning. Pura said the temperature was recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden in Quezon City. “Sa mga susunod na araw medyo makakaranas tayo ng mainit na panahon dahil humina yung ang northeast monsoon o hangin amihan,” Pura explained. But he said the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan” is expected to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with passing light rains in Visayas and Luzon including Metro Manila. (PNA)

Grab kits for Davao del Norte families eyed

The Davao del Norte provincial government is set to provide disaster grab kits to families who will be selected at random as part of the disaster preparedness plan of the province.

“The grab kits will include flashlights, toiletries, transistor radios and food in pouches,” Davao del Norte Assistant Provincial Administrator Romulo Tagalo said during yesterday’s Kapihan sa PIA.

He said while the disaster awareness campaign of the province reached as far as the barangays prior to Typhoon Pablo, they will now go down to the household level to make the campaign more effective.

Tagalo said they are targeting mothers who are bound to think of their family’s safety first, compared to fathers who have the tendency to think of their farmlands first in time of disasters.

Among the strategies identified by the province as part of its disaster preparation are lectures on climate change, basic household preparation, early warning system and communication system.

“When it comes to climate change, there is no safe area now,” he said. It is now a reality that disaster risk is no longer defined by whether you live near the seashores or in the cities, he added.

As part of its early warning system, the province has recently inked an agreement with the Department of Science and Technology for the establishment of the Tagum-Liboganon River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (TLRFFWC).

DOST XI provincial science and technology coordinator for Davao del Norte Engineer Rogelio Corcino earlier said that the Center will serve as a hub for all forecasting and warning activities for the Tagum-Liboganon River Basin and all its tributaries and allied rivers.

The Center is expected to rise in a 500-square meter land within the Provincial Government Center. (lovely a. carillo)

LGU Panabo simplifies process for investors

PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE – The City Government of Panabo has finally put in place a system to serve investors who want to renew and open a business in Panabo City.

The Permit and Licensing Section (PLS) under the City Government has spearheaded the Business One-Stop-Shop (Panabo BOSS) which started last January 2 until January 20 at the ground floor of the Panabo New City Hall.

PLS will accommodate clients even in Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon and with extended office hours until 7:00 in the evening during weekdays. Business and Licensing Officer Dulce E. Relopez said that with BOSS, the entrepreneurs will be able to respond immediately to the requirements of investments in Panabo, especially with the increasing influx of investors.

“With the establishments of Panabo BOSS fast lane in investment transactions which aside from the separate fast lane for Senior Citizen, Pregnant Women and Differently-abled Persons, will help boost the influx of investors and makes it easier for them to start their business in the City”. Relopez added.

Furthermore, 2013 BOSS shortens now the flow of transaction. The usual 8 steps to process a business permit is trimmed down to 5 steps. Another major innovation is to release business permits right after the approval of the approving officer. It was remembered that the complex process of complying with business requirements discourages investors and there changes offer the solution as it would simplify everything.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), City Health Office (CHO), City Engineering Office (CEO), City Planning Development Office (CPDO), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are desks of partner agencies involved in processing investment requirements and prerequisite papers.

BOSS intends to make business registration procedures simpler and easier as it will house the partner agencies involved in business registration application under one roof. It was said that agencies involve commits to work together in revenue generation, business empowerment and stimulates entrepreneurship. With this system, entrepreneurs transacting with several agencies will be able to start operating their business as early this month.(Mark Anthony Gellor / Panabo City Information Office)

Gov. RDR urges LGUs to increase absorptive capacity

TAGUM CITY - Local government units (LGUs) should increase their absorptive capacity in order to take advantage of the increasing resources coming from the national government.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said that the anti-corruption campaign instituted by President Benigno Aquino III has improved the national economy and increased essential revenues vital in bankrolling important programs and projects, particularly in the countryside.

He said that as a result of the president’s good governance reforms, dubbed as“Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path), the national government now has greater resources available for the implementation of more projects that benefit the people.

“So much money is now available and the only problem is how much absorptive capacity do the LGUs have,” del Rosario said.

The Chair of the Confederation of all the Local Chief Executives in Mindanao (Confed) pointed out that many of the available resources could amount to nothing if the LGUs do not have the capacity to directly implement projects.

“We really need to develop the capability of the LGUs to directly implement outsourced projects,” he stressed.

For Davao del Norte, the Governor revealed the province is now ahead in terms of implementing national or foreign-funded projects by administration, after beefing up its pool of engineering manpower and equipment.

He said the province has proven this in accomplishing P260-million worth of projects coming from the World Bank-funded Mindanao Rural Development Program, which was used for the massive opening and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in the province.

This was bolstered by Capitol’s efficient execution of the P40-million Provincial Roads Management Facility that is being funded annually by the Australian Aid for International Development (AusAID), as well as, the P23-million dairy project financed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The province has further fast-tracked the completion of the P72-million grant from the Health Facility Enhancement Program of the Department of Health (DOH), which upgraded the medical facilities of the provincial hospitals and boosted the economic enterprise program of the province.

The province earlier received recognition for leading the implementation of farm-to-market roads and livelihood projects funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) locally-funded projects under the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP). (Noel Baguio-DN PGO)

DavNor solon cites gains of PNoy’s “Daang Matuwid”

TAGUM CITY – Davao del Norte First District Congressman Anthony del Rosario hailed the anti-corruption campaign of President Benigno Aquino III, which he said has paid off in improving the national economy.

Del Rosario said the president’s vigorous anti-corruption campaign and reforms for greater government transparency and accountability has resulted in the surprising Philippine economic growth of 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2012.

The unprecedented growth made the country the best performer in Southeast Asia and the second strongest in the whole of Asia after China’s.

This feat, the congressman said, will translate to more revenues that will be earmarked for more significant programs and projects benefiting the poor.

“It was forthcoming that the “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path) crusade is going to uplift the lives of the Filipinos,” del Rosario said, during the New Year’s first Monday morning convocation of the Capitol at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

Another turning point in the president’s anti-corruption crusade is the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, which, according to the lawmaker, has brought back the faith of the people in the judicial branch.

“The people saw with their own eyes that the justice system is not meant to protect the rich and powerful, but also the poor and the weak,” he said.

The representative further praised the signing of the framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which signaled the end of the “decades-old conflict that continually stymies our great Island’s potentials.”

Other landmark accomplishments of the Aquino administration last year include, among others, the signing into law of R.A. 10351, otherwise known as an Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco, as well as, R.A. 10354, otherwise known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

The legislator said that the passage of the two laws will lead to “less sicknesses resulting from tobacco and alcohol use, more and improved health care facilities, more insurance beneficiaries with wider health care coverage, extensive maternal health services, and access to contraceptives by the poorest couples, who can finally exercise their right to be responsible parents.”

Del Rosario, who spearheaded the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM) in the Davao region in 2009, further urged the people to support candidates who truly espouse the president’s “Daang Matuwid” in the coming May elections.

He said a vote for politicians who advocates for the president’s anti-corruption reforms is a vote for good governance and a vote for the future of our country. (Noel Baguio-DN PGO)

Duterte: funds used as cash assistance not from Gov't.

DAVAO CITY, January 9 (PIA) Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vehemently denied using government funds as cash assistance to residents ,rebels and soldiers alike when he reached out typhoon- ravaged- area in  Barangay Ngan, Compostela, Compostela last December 26.                                               

Speaking to reporters, he explained that the funds came from a philanthropist  who had been helpful in supporting the medication of cancer patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

Duterte said that as a gesture of gratitude, the private individual who refused to be identified gave out P1-Million for the cancer patients and another P500,000 for the needy, as a way of sharing the blessings received from running a simple business for the past several years.

He said the P500,000 was given in form of cash and material assistance to the victims of typhoon Pablo.

“I gave out financial assistance to residents and rebels to ensure that the economy would move.  Poverty is widespread in the area and help is needed, in the same manner that I extended assistance to the soldiers in New Bataan,” Duterte said.

He revealed he visited a rebel camp in Compostela Valley following an invitation by the rebels for him to come during their founding anniversary.

Duterte said one of the rebel leaders had been an acquaintance back in Martial Law years, at the time when as a government prosecutor he sued them to court.

He said even the parents of one of the rebels leaders were supporters of his father, then Governor Vicente Duterte of the empire province of Davao.

“It could be a good time to rekindle with old acquaintances,” he said.

Duterte stressed that all his reaching out activities even to the rebels that day were coordinated with Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division and Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the Police Regional Office XI.

He said his visit to the rebels and even keeping the authorities informed were more a gesture of courtesy.

During the vice mayor’s sortie, the military, police and the communist rebels were observing a suspension of military operations and unilateral ceasefire, respectively in lieu of the holidays and the relief operations on areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo.

Duterte said building materials like nails and roof were already delivered to the area as promised to the residents last week.

He urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to allow him to provide chainsaws to the highlands for residents there to use the fallen trees as lumber in the construction of new houses.

Duterte said there are no longer illegal logging activities to talk about in the area, since almost all trees were uprooted during the onslaught of typhoon Pablo.

He also admitted that having friends with the enemies and supporters of the state has made him a compromised government official. 

Duterte said it is one of the primary reasons why he brushed aside offers by the national leadership in the past for him to run the Department of National Defense and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“I am not qualified and besides, I am a compromised public official.   Both left and right are my friends.  How can I discharge properly my duty if the rebel forces are also my friends,” he pointed out.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

LGU Panabo simplifies process for investors

PANABO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE – The City Government of Panabo has finally put in place a system to serve investors who want to renew and open a business in Panabo City.

The Permit and Licensing Section (PLS) under the City Government has spearheaded the Business One-Stop-Shop (Panabo BOSS) which started last January 2 until January 20 at the ground floor of the Panabo New City Hall.

PLS will accommodate clients even in Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon and with extended office hours until 7:00 in the evening during weekdays. Business and Licensing Officer Dulce E. Relopez said that with BOSS, the entrepreneurs will be able to respond immediately to the requirements of investments in Panabo, especially with the increasing influx of investors.

“With the establishments of Panabo BOSS fast lane in investment transactions which aside from the separate fast lane for Senior Citizen, Pregnant Women and Differently-abled Persons, will help boost the influx of investors and makes it easier for them to start their business in the City”. Relopez added.

Furthermore, 2013 BOSS shortens now the flow of transaction. The usual 8 steps to process a business permit is trimmed down to 5 steps. Another major innovation is to release business permits right after the approval of the approving officer. It was remembered that the complex process of complying with business requirements discourages investors and there changes offer the solution as it would simplify everything.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), City Health Office (CHO), City Engineering Office (CEO), City Planning Development Office (CPDO), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are desks of partner agencies involved in processing investment requirements and prerequisite papers.

BOSS intends to make business registration procedures simpler and easier as it will house the partner agencies involved in business registration application under one roof. It was said that agencies involve commits to work together in revenue generation, business empowerment and stimulates entrepreneurship. With this system, entrepreneurs transacting with several agencies will be able to start operating their business as early this month.(Mark Anthony Gellor / Panabo City Information Office)

Gov. RDR urges LGUs to increase absorptive capacity

TAGUM CITY - Local government units (LGUs) should increase their absorptive capacity in order to take advantage of the increasing resources coming from the national government.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said that the anti-corruption campaign instituted by President Benigno Aquino III has improved the national economy and increased essential revenues vital in bankrolling important programs and projects, particularly in the countryside.

He said that as a result of the president’s good governance reforms, dubbed as“Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path), the national government now has greater resources available for the implementation of more projects that benefit the people.

“So much money is now available and the only problem is how much absorptive capacity do the LGUs have,” del Rosario said.

The Chair of the Confederation of all the Local Chief Executives in Mindanao (Confed) pointed out that many of the available resources could amount to nothing if the LGUs do not have the capacity to directly implement projects.

“We really need to develop the capability of the LGUs to directly implement outsourced projects,” he stressed.

For Davao del Norte, the Governor revealed the province is now ahead in terms of implementing national or foreign-funded projects by administration, after beefing up its pool of engineering manpower and equipment.

He said the province has proven this in accomplishing P260-million worth of projects coming from the World Bank-funded Mindanao Rural Development Program, which was used for the massive opening and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in the province.

This was bolstered by Capitol’s efficient execution of the P40-million Provincial Roads Management Facility that is being funded annually by the Australian Aid for International Development (AusAID), as well as, the P23-million dairy project financed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The province has further fast-tracked the completion of the P72-million grant from the Health Facility Enhancement Program of the Department of Health (DOH), which upgraded the medical facilities of the provincial hospitals and boosted the economic enterprise program of the province.

The province earlier received recognition for leading the implementation of farm-to-market roads and livelihood projects funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) locally-funded projects under the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP). (Noel Baguio-DN PGO)

DavNor solon cites gains of PNoy’s “Daang Matuwid”

TAGUM CITY – Davao del Norte First District Congressman Anthony del Rosario hailed the anti-corruption campaign of President Benigno Aquino III, which he said has paid off in improving the national economy.

Del Rosario said the president’s vigorous anti-corruption campaign and reforms for greater government transparency and accountability has resulted in the surprising Philippine economic growth of 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2012.

The unprecedented growth made the country the best performer in Southeast Asia and the second strongest in the whole of Asia after China’s.

This feat, the congressman said, will translate to more revenues that will be earmarked for more significant programs and projects benefiting the poor.

“It was forthcoming that the “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path) crusade is going to uplift the lives of the Filipinos,” del Rosario said, during the New Year’s first Monday morning convocation of the Capitol at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan.

Another turning point in the president’s anti-corruption crusade is the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, which, according to the lawmaker, has brought back the faith of the people in the judicial branch.

“The people saw with their own eyes that the justice system is not meant to protect the rich and powerful, but also the poor and the weak,” he said.

The representative further praised the signing of the framework peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which signaled the end of the “decades-old conflict that continually stymies our great Island’s potentials.”

Other landmark accomplishments of the Aquino administration last year include, among others, the signing into law of R.A. 10351, otherwise known as an Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco, as well as, R.A. 10354, otherwise known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

The legislator said that the passage of the two laws will lead to “less sicknesses resulting from tobacco and alcohol use, more and improved health care facilities, more insurance beneficiaries with wider health care coverage, extensive maternal health services, and access to contraceptives by the poorest couples, who can finally exercise their right to be responsible parents.”

Del Rosario, who spearheaded the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM) in the Davao region in 2009, further urged the people to support candidates who truly espouse the president’s “Daang Matuwid” in the coming May elections.

He said a vote for politicians who advocates for the president’s anti-corruption reforms is a vote for good governance and a vote for the future of our country. (Noel Baguio-DN PGO)

Duterte: funds used as cash assistance not from Gov't.

DAVAO CITY, January 9 (PIA) Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vehemently denied using government funds as cash assistance to residents ,rebels and soldiers alike when he reached out typhoon- ravaged- area in  Barangay Ngan, Compostela, Compostela last December 26.                                               

Speaking to reporters, he explained that the funds came from a philanthropist  who had been helpful in supporting the medication of cancer patients at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

Duterte said that as a gesture of gratitude, the private individual who refused to be identified gave out P1-Million for the cancer patients and another P500,000 for the needy, as a way of sharing the blessings received from running a simple business for the past several years.

He said the P500,000 was given in form of cash and material assistance to the victims of typhoon Pablo.

“I gave out financial assistance to residents and rebels to ensure that the economy would move.  Poverty is widespread in the area and help is needed, in the same manner that I extended assistance to the soldiers in New Bataan,” Duterte said.

He revealed he visited a rebel camp in Compostela Valley following an invitation by the rebels for him to come during their founding anniversary.

Duterte said one of the rebel leaders had been an acquaintance back in Martial Law years, at the time when as a government prosecutor he sued them to court.

He said even the parents of one of the rebels leaders were supporters of his father, then Governor Vicente Duterte of the empire province of Davao.

“It could be a good time to rekindle with old acquaintances,” he said.

Duterte stressed that all his reaching out activities even to the rebels that day were coordinated with Major General Ariel Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division and Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, director of the Police Regional Office XI.

He said his visit to the rebels and even keeping the authorities informed were more a gesture of courtesy.

During the vice mayor’s sortie, the military, police and the communist rebels were observing a suspension of military operations and unilateral ceasefire, respectively in lieu of the holidays and the relief operations on areas hardest hit by typhoon Pablo.

Duterte said building materials like nails and roof were already delivered to the area as promised to the residents last week.

He urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to allow him to provide chainsaws to the highlands for residents there to use the fallen trees as lumber in the construction of new houses.

Duterte said there are no longer illegal logging activities to talk about in the area, since almost all trees were uprooted during the onslaught of typhoon Pablo.

He also admitted that having friends with the enemies and supporters of the state has made him a compromised government official. 

Duterte said it is one of the primary reasons why he brushed aside offers by the national leadership in the past for him to run the Department of National Defense and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“I am not qualified and besides, I am a compromised public official.   Both left and right are my friends.  How can I discharge properly my duty if the rebel forces are also my friends,” he pointed out.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)