DOST launches Smarter Philippines program in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Feb 20 (PIA) The Department of Science and Technology formally launched the Smarter Philippines program aimed at maximizing the use of information communication technology to spur inclusive growth and improve the quality of lives among Filipinos.

Speaking in the simple launching program at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City, Secretary Mario Montejo of the DOST said in Davao Region, Smarter Philippines can be best understood by local residents to their access to information on climate change adaptation given the with topographical maps that state geo-hazards like floods and landslide; which can help local governments to plan ahead given a base line data on possible disaster scenario.

 “Imagine how a local government acts given timely information on disaster scenarios like inundation flood maps which can be used for disaster mitigation in identifying flood and landslide prone areas and in responding more rapidly to  victims through networking with city and regional hospitals in emergency situations,” he said.

Montejo said that Smarter Philippines is a mindset of continually finding better ways of doing things for Filipinos.

He said at the DOST, Smarter Philippines pertains to coming up with new and better products and systems of improving the quality way of life.

Montejo said smart technologies can best help practically in all aspects in the Filipino way of life from agriculture, governance, economy, environment, human resources and people.

Undersecretary Louis Napoleon Casambre, executive director of the Information and Communications Technology Office of the DOST said underscored the use of the information highway in promoting the smarter Philippines mindset.

He reminded the people that though the internet is a powerful tool to bridge information, it  is also  a public domain and everything posted their can be seen by everyone.

Casambre said that even criminal elements lurk in the internet.

He also observed that people with less information technology education even unwittingly place their post publicly and have no way of knowing how to hide private information.

“The internet is a public place that is why it is dangerous.  Consciously knowing that it is a public place, you must protect yourself and let your government protect you,” he said.

Representatives of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, United Nations-Habitat Philippines, the European Union and the US government pledged support to the program. (PIA XI- Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Sta. Cruz DavSur biz council to build homes for flood survivors

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 20 (PIA) – The Business Council of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Inc. has accepted Gawad Kalinga’s challenge of a five-day volunteerism of building new homes for the flood survivors in Sta. Cruz town.

Through its president, Jose B. Villaflor, the Council expressed acceptance and commitment of support to GK’s 2013 Bayani Challenge which included the municipality of Sta. Cruz as among the 39 municipalities and cities in the country as sites for the heroic five-day event engaging volunteers to build houses in calamity-devastated areas.

“The challenge is acceptable and workable,” Villaflor said as the business sector’s response to the challenge presented by Sta. Cruz Mayor Joel Ray Lopez who urged the private companies based in his town to help the LGU to provide safer homes for his constituents who were left homeless by the flashflood incidents in 2011 and 2012.

He told the Philippine Information Agency that the Business Council initially planned to pour in financial aid to Bayani Challenge, adding that it is up to the company-members to decide on their individual contribution.

Villaflor, who represented Sta. Cruz-based Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, said the firm is initially pledging technical workers and vehicles to transport volunteers.

“This is not a showcase of popularity. This is a challenge of generosity and work of heart, and a showcase of unity among the government, business sector and civil society organization,” he emphasized in his message during a Dinner for a Cause held Tuesday night at the Grand Regal Hotel, this city.

PIA Director General and GK Bayani Challenge Event head Jose Mari M. Oquiñena raised the relevance of strengthening partnership with private firms, saying “this is the best way to achieve industrial peace.”

“The Bayani Challenge is beyond building houses, and it has become a way of creating possibilities,” Oquiñena emphasized in his message also during the Dinner for a Cause where he was guest of honor.

He said he is hoping that involving in the Bayani Challenge will become a lifestyle for many Filipinos. 

For Mayor Lopez, considering Sta. Cruz as one of the sites of the 2013 Bayani Challenge which bears the theme “Isang Bayani, Isang Bayanihan” is an honor and a privilege for the municipality.

He said the partnership with GK through the Bayani Challenge is helping the LGU to efficiently achieve its program of removing the constituents out of the danger zone and flood-prone areas, and relocating them into a safer place.

Sta. Cruz Councilor Fernando Ugdoracion said the Bayani Challenge targets to build ten houses with lower cost at Luway in Barangay Zone 2 during summer from March 23 to March 27, 2013, which will also engage volunteers into tree planting and health mission.

Ugdoracion bared that the two-hectare area in Luway is one of the two areas acquired by the LGU as relocation sites intended for the residents affected by flood incidents and infrastructure projects, and those living in danger zone areas.

He said they would still undergo the process of screening and identifying qualified beneficiaries. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

RDR pushes DavNor tourism code

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE - Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has directed the revitalized Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) to work out the immediate passage of the Provincial Tourism Code to spur investments and sustainable growth in the province.

“The first job I gave them is the crafting of the Provincial Tourism Code, which is our tool in addressing the gaps in the tourism sector,” del Rosario said, after administering the oath of office of the new PTC set of officers.

The Governor stressed the measure is important in securing the province’s vantage point in supporting President Aquino’s goal of achieving 35 million domestic visitor arrivals and 10 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2016.

He added the speedy passage of the code will enable the province to make the most out of the multi-billion tourism projects available from the national government.

OIC-Provincial Administrator Norma Lumain revealed the Local Finance Committee is now wrapping up its review on the draft of the code before endorsing it to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for appropriate action.

She said the proposed ordinance seeks to ensure the promotion and development of the province’s rich tourism industry,while preserving the colorful culture, heritage, and identity of the Dabaonons.

The measure shall also be a great come-on for potential investors, as it encourages participation of the private sector in agro-eco-cultural-tourism for countryside development.

Del Rosario recently presided over the oath of office of the new PTC officers, with Ms. Araceli Ayuste as President, Dizon Namoag-Vice President, Carlo Domingo-Secretary and Edna Parcon-Treasurer.

Each of the cities and municipalities also has its own representative in the tourism body. (Noel Baguio DAVNOR PIO)

Mati City seeks Comelec exemption to 181 Projects

MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL – Mati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat is asking for the exemption to 181 infrastructure projects in the City, as she wants the projects to be expeditiously done for the benefit of the residents of Mati, amidst tight implementation of the Commission on Elections to the existing election laws.

Mayor Rabat explained that she just wanted all the 181 projects to be continued, so the people can benefit from it the soonest possible time.

The city is now at the verge of implementing various projects, government funded and funded by different funding agencies and institutions.

Topping the project is the biggest project implemented by the local government unit of Mati, the MACALULA Farm to Market Road, funded by the Philippine Rural Dev’t Program, PRDP.

Also, the local government unit plans to have a simultaneous inauguration and blessing to the projects in the three farthest barangays of the city, Baranay Luban, Lanc, and Cabuaya.  The LGU satellite office and the water system in Barangay Luban are scheduled for inauguration and blessing within the month of February this year. These projects will cater to the need an easy access of the residents to the services of the local government, and the basic need of water.

The City of Mati is also a beneficiary to the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP), which funded farm to market roads for 2011-2013.

In 2011, DIDP allocated fund for the Ligaran Farm to Market Road (FMR) in Brgy. Don Salvador Lopez, and for 2012, completed the Nagas-Libudon Farm to Market Road worth P6-million. For 2013, DIDP will fund the concreting a portion of Sitio Baso, Brgy. Badas, leading to the Mariculture Park, still worth P6-million.

Several projects were also implemented by the city government through the National Anti-Poverty Commission, NAP-C. These include the Danao FMR (P3-M), Mamali FMR (P3-M), 2-classrom school building in Brgy. Taguibo (P1.5-M).

For 2013, NAP-C allocated 30M for the City of Mati.

Other projects of the local government unit are the Sanitary Land fill in Tagbobolo, Brgy. Sainz, with an allocation of P68-milion, the City Hall Annex worth P65-million, the Visitors Information Center in Brgy. Dahican embedded in the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Program, funded by the Asian Development Bank.

City Planning and Development Officer Engr. Ariel Mosquera disclosed that they are now coping managing their time in attending to the implementation of the various programs, all geared towards the bettermentof the city.

Earlier, City of Mati Election Officer Sergio Manligoy explained that for requests of project exemption, the Local Chief Executives just have to write a formal letter of request to the Commission on Elections. (Ms. Neela G. Duallo)

Academy better than junkets for politicians-PCLLA

TAGUM CITY-Politicians would be better off going to the Philippine Councilors League Legislative Academy (PCLLA) and complete their degrees instead of joining junkets that only waste people’s money.

This was the message imparted by PCCLA Executive Director Hilario Caminero during the launching of the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI) at the Bulwagan Hall of the Provincial Capitol Monday.

“Let’s do away with massive spending of government money through junkets,” he said.

Caminero said “when I tried to evaluate the capability building process of our councilors I realized that up to P1.2 billion was spent every year in the guise of attending training, seminars and conferences.” By the time a councilor completes his term which is usually after nine years, he added, a councilor would have spent P1.2 million each for such trainings.

However, he said, this has not increased the chances of this councilor getting a government position once he applies for it no matter if “malakas sya sa mayor” because of the lack of a degree.

This was the reason why the Academy, which has produced more than 800 graduates nationwide, was established. He said up to 400 politicians have finished College because of the Academy.

He said it provides an opportunity for legislators to complete a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration and Public Governance. PCLLA also offers a Master in Public Administration Degree for government employees and politicians, he added.

Caminero said the PCLLA has legal basis particularly Executive order No. 330 issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1996. EO 330 mandates the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to “expand and strengthen the tertiary education equivalency and accreditation program to benefit deserving individuals.”

He said this only shows that acquiring higher expertise and education can also take place in the workplace and not just in the classrooms. He added that the Order allows CHED to conduct a thorough evaluation and after certifying that a government employee’s work experiences have been acquired through non-formal training, award such employee with the appropriate academic degree.(RGA/LAC/PIA XI)

DavOr sees solution to clearing typhoon debris

DAVAO ORIENTAL, Feb. 20 (PIA):  The provincial government of Davao Oriental closing on its goals of keeping fallen coconut trees from rotting as Provincial Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon has made government agencies agree to partner in managing huge volume of  tree debris accumulated as a result of Typhoon Pablo.

Malanyaon led a coordination meeting held last Feb. 19 focusing on recovery and rehabilitation  of Typhoon Pablo-affected communities in Davao Oriental during which debris management and shelter came out as the  current major concern in the province.

She was particularly concerned on cleaning up wastes  and debris as she wanted  the province to fast-track  efforts of “building back even better” the three typhoon Pablo devastated towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston.

In his presentation during the inter-agency meeting held at the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Provincial Planning Officer Freddie Bendulo identified coconut trunks,  uprooted trees,  construction materials, non-biodegradable and bio-degradable materials as the major debris which, he said, could be hazardous to health and the environment.

Among them, coconut trunks contribute the major volume of wastes as there are about  six million of them which are either felled or uprooted due to strong winds of typhoon Pablo.

The provincial government had already made known earlier that it would only be using about 500,000 trunks for reconstruction and shelter assistance purposes.

Tuesday’s inter-agency meeting of Malanyaon with heads of regional line agencies  yielded the creation of clusters of government agencies to  handle  the collection, cutting and transport of coco trunks; warehousing; and processing, marketing and training.

Among those agencies tasked to handle the hauling of coconut trunks to a warehouse are the Provincial local government unit (PLGU) Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA),  the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development  through which cash for work program  can be utilized to run the task.

Assigned to carry out warehousing were PCA,  the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),  while those taking charge of processing and marketing were DOST,  DENR, DSWD, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

As coconut trunks would likely get rotten after six months, PCA will handle the treatment process, aside from taking part in cutting of coconut trunks using a cash for work  mode of directly employing people to operate 40 chainsaws that it had distributed in areas  with so much coconut debris.

Meanwhile,  Malanyaon found an  answer to concern on retrieval of coconut trunks in privately-owned lands as DSWD Davao Oriental coordinator Rebecca Sta. Maria, head of DSWD Protection services opened the idea  of buying them using the livelihood assistance grants of DSWD.

In a separate interview, Sta. Maria explained that beneficiaries can use the P10,000 livelihood assistance grants  as start-up capital  to roll out a community business of buying and selling coconut lumber.

DTI was also looking at mobilizing traders based in and outside of Davao Oriental to buy coconut lumber from  the province. 

On the other hand, optimism ran high on meeting shelter needs   as Sta. Maria revealed that the DSWD was set to build this year a total of 20,673 housing units for typhoon-affected residents in Davao Oriental.

In an earlier interview,  Malanyaon was sure that 15,000 housing units would be made available this year for  the typhoon-displaced families, aside from the on-going construction of some 2,000 housing units .

“We already had two ground-breaking ceremonies, in Baganga and in Cateel,” she said referring to the project of the Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) group of companies and the Gawad Kalinga  (GK) Village.

On  top of the national government housing projects,  Malanyaon disclosed interest of the private sector agencies, from the Filipino-Chinese community and from the Senators, among others, to answer housing needs. (PIA XI/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Gov’t. eyes TV white space to broaden internet reach

DAVAO CITY Feb. 20 (PIA)- The national government is eyeing to harness unused television frequencies to further internet connectivity among remote communities in the country.

TV white spaces (TVWS) are unutilized television frequencies in UHF and VHF bands which can be used for data communications.

“TVWS is an ideal wireless data delivery medium for the Philippines, with its long distance propagation characteristics and the ability of its signals to travel over water and through thick foliage, we are hopeful that this will be the technology to bring connectivity to rural areas and bridge the digital divide” says Usec Louis Napoleon Casambre, Executive Director Information and Communications Technology Office- Department of Science and Technology (ICTO-DOST).

Casambre said the national government is studying the proposal with a pilot project to be conducted in Bohol. He said TVWS can be used to deliver broadband connectivity to unserved areas of the country.

Apart from reaching to unconnected communities, the TVWS is a cost-effective way of broadband data delivery as its longer reach requires lesser base stations as compared to existing wireless technologies.

The TVWS technology is among the plans pushed by the ICTO-DOST as a way of boosting the Smarter Philippines program initiated by the DOST.

The Smarter Philippine Program formall launched today (Feb. 20) at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City, the initiative is an umbrella program of smart technology based Research and Development projects which covers governance, health care, disaster mitigation, transportation and agriculture.

Among the projects under the Smarter Philippine Program include; Integrated Government Philippine (iGovPhil)  project, the Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards)and the DREAM-LiDAR (Disaster Risk Exposure and Assessment for Mitigation-Light Detection and Ranging) .(PIA/RG Alama)