Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation nagtukod 16-Rooms School Buildings sa Manggayon E.S.

by Gilbert M. Cabahug

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Ang Taiwan-based nga “Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation maoy nag-angkon sa total rebuilding sa Manggayon Elementary School sa Compostela nga grabeng pagkaguba tungod sa Supertyphoon Pablo niadtong milabay’ng Disyembre 4, 2012, ug kini pinaagi sa bag-o lang gisugdan nila pagtukod nga 16-Rooms nga School Buildings.

Gitug-an ni PGSO Chief Arceli Timogtimog  nga apil sa gitukod nilang 16-Rooms diha sa Manggayon E.S. ang Classrooms, ug ang Administrative Buildings sama sa Library, Faculty Room, Principal’s Office, School Canteen, Multi-purpose hall, ug uban pa.

Niadtong Hunyo 24, gipahibalo mismo ni Gov. Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy atol sa Convocation Program sa mga empleyado sa Kapitolyo nga siya nalipay tungod padayon gihapon karon nga giulan ug mga hinabang ang probinsiya sa Compostela Valley nga diin, usa sa mga mihatag ug dakong tabang sa probinsiya mao ang Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation.  Ang Ground-Breaking Ceremony alang sa 16 rooms nga school buildings nahitabo matud pa sa unang semana sa bulan sa Hunyo 2013.

Kahibaloan nga niadtong Enero 5-6, 2013 ang Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation mituyo gayud pagduaw sa ComVal, ug sila nanghatag ug hinabang sa mga biktima sa bagyo.  Sa Enero 5 sila nanghatag ug relief goods sa Compostela ug pagka-Enero 6 didto na sad sila nanghatag sa New Bataan.  Ilang nakauban si Gov. Uy sa duha ka adlaw nilang pagpanghatag ug hinabang sa Typhoon Pablo Victims.

Matud ni Gov. Uy nga bag-o sa iyang kasinatian ang gihimo sa “Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation” nga diin bisan sila nga biktima sa bagyo gipahatag sad ug hinabang ngadto sa mga posibleng mamahimong biktima usab sa kalamidad.  Apan luyo niini nakadayeg gayud siya ug dako tungod sa maayong resulta ug gani tungod sa maayo nilang pagpasabot halos tanang biktima sa bagyo nga nakatambong miduol gayud sa alkansiya aron pagtunol sa ilang donasyon.

Dako sad matud pa ang iyang pagdayeg sa mga mahinungdanong butang nga  gibansay  sa Buddhist Tzu-Chi, labi na sa gabayan sa success in life nga gitudlo ni Master Cheng Yen sa Taiwan nga mao ang kanunay’ng paglitok sa maayong mga pulong (say good words); ang kanunay’ng paghuna-huna ug mga maayo (think good thoughts); ug ang kanunay’ng pagbuhat ug matarong (do good deeds).  (Gilbert M. Cabahug, ids-comval)

San Miguel E.S. sa Compostela gitukoran ug 6 classrooms sa San Miguel-Petron

by Gilbert M. Cabahug

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Unom gayud ka school-buildings ang gitukod sa Petron Foundation diha sa San Miguel Elementary School sa Brgy. San Miguel sa lungsod sa Compostela, ug matud ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy nga nahuman na ang 1-unit 4 classroom-building nga unang natukod ug ila na kining gi-turn-over sa eskwelahan niadtong Hunyo 18, 2013.

Samtang gisugdan na sad pagtukod sa Petron ang laing 1-Unit 2 Classroom Building nga maoy ilang commitment sa “Akbay, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-Asa” kun AGAPP-Silid Pangarap Foundation ni Presidential Sister Pinky Aquino Abellada diha gihapon sa San Miguel Elementary School.

Sama sa nahitabo sa Corazon C. Aquino High School sa Brgy. Osmeña nga gitukuran ug 1 Unit 6-Classroom Building sa “The Philippine Star,” gitug-an ni Gov. Uy nga ang mga kadagkuan sa Petron nagsulti kaniya nga sa pag-identify sa mamahimong beneficiary sa tukoron nilang School Buildings sa ComVal, ang management nagpili sa San Miguel Elementary School tungod kapangalan kini sa bag-ong tag-iya sa Petron nga mao ang San Miguel Corporation.

Kahibaloan ng ang bag-o gimugnang Corazon C. Aquino High School diha sa Sitio Baclog sa Brgy. Osmeña, Compostela mao sad ang gipiling tukoran sa  usa ka Unit nga 6-room building sa “Star Group of Publication” tungod suod nga higala ni kanhi President Corazon Aquino si Betty Go-Belmonte nga maoy Founder sa The Phil. Star.

Si Betty Go Belmonte maoy asawa ni Cong. Feliciano Belmonte ug inahan ni Mr. Miguel Belmonte nga maoy Presidente ug CEO sa Star Group of Publication nga diin ang mga kompanyang sakop niini naglangkob sa The Philippine Star; Philippine Star Ngayon; PM-Pang Masa; ug sa Filipino Star Printing Corporation. (Gilbert m. Cabahug, ids-comval)

DSWD relief, rehabilitation efforts for Pablo victims still on-going

Even as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) noted that families affected by typhoon Pablo in Region XI are back to their normal way of life,  relief distribution and rehabilitation efforts are still on-going.

“This is to ensure that initial efforts to help the families settle down are sustained,”  DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman explained.

Secretary Soliman said that cash-for-work, trainings on livelihood,  and provision of shelter and educational assistance will continue to be implemented to further uplift the condition of the affected families.

To date,  approximately P1.3 billion worth of assistance was extended to the victims of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Compostela Valley. The assistance included foodpacks, noche buena packs, bunkhouses, cash-for-work, emergency shelter and educational assistance, as well as other food and non-food items.

DSWD implemented the cash-for-work program to help the victims meet their daily needs while looking for more permanent sources of livelihood.  They received P226 a day for ten days in return for doing community work. A total of 58,817 beneficiaries were assisted.

To complement the cash-for-work, the DSWD and partner agencies facilitated the employment of affected individuals.

This is through cash-for-training, “trabahong lansangan,” farm development cum vegetable production, food processing, mushroom culture, organic farming, massage therapy, and cosmetology, among others.  A total of 35, 483 beneficiaries were given employment through these initiatives.

In time for this year’s school opening,   the DSWD opened  its educational assistance program benefiting 512 students. The DSWD paid P2.3 million to different schools in the region where the students were enrolled.

Secretary Soliman said that the government continues to converge various services from the different line agencies to sustain gains  along rehabilitation of areas devastated by Pablo.

“For our part, we hired personnel to focus on the recovery operations of areas devastated by typhoon Pablo. They will be deployed to the nine hardest hit municipalities of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental,” Secretary Soliman concluded. DSWD

Fire dancers warm up Kadagayaan nights

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, June 27: Playing with fire is generally known to be a bad thing, but dancing with fire? Well, that's something else entirely.

Fire dancing heated up the opening of cultural nights of the Kadagayaan Festival, in celebration of the 46th Araw ng Davao del Norte on July 1, 2013, with this year’s theme: “Kulturang Dabaonon: Paghinumdum (remember). Paghanduraw (revisit). Pagtahod (respect).

 The ancient art of fire dancing has been practiced by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand to increase flexibility, strength and coordination.

This life-threatening art is a passion shared by Kim Murtz, 22, with his cousin Jeremiah Maulit, 23, both residing at the Palm City of Tagum.

Jeremiah recently introduced fire dancing to Kim and formed the group “Sela Lewana,” an Alibata word which means blazing light.

“Gipili namo kini nga pangalan kay mao kini nag-simbolo sa among pasundayag na lage kaming sumusiklab sa liwanag hangtod makab-ot namo ang kalampusan. (We chose this name because it symbolizes our performance that we are always blazing thru the light until we achieve success),” explained Murtz.

The group takes fire safety precautions before every show considering that it is a very dangerous performance art. They have been practicing it for almost two years, with special appearance during the 2011 Musikahan Festival of Tagum City.

Before mastering their moves,  fire dancers learn the basic steps of 2-beats and 4-beats of weight with choreographed routines and heart throbbing music.

They then expand to fire twirling with a pair of roughly arm-length chains, fire staff using a metal or wooden tube ranging from 1-2 meters long, which even levels up to fire breathing and fire juggling.

Aside from the fire dance exhibition, the cultural nights of the 2013 Kadagayaan Festival also consist of live band entertainment, games and surprises.

The Kadagayaan Festival, which is grand festival to commemorate the abundant blessings, as well as, draw hope for more successes to come, has been primed by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario to be a major cultural festival in the region and the whole country. ( Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO)

LGU workers showcase talent during festival

TAGUM CITY,Davao del Norte, June 27 (PIA) - Local Government Unit (LGU) employees had the time of thier lives transforming from public servants into performers as they showcased their talents during the Government Employees Got Talent challenge.

The contest was staged as a highlight of the Kadagayaan Festival 2013 Cultural Nights in celebration of the 46th founding anniversary of the province.

The LGU band of the municipality of Kapalong bagged the top prize with their electrifying rendition of an OPM medley, bringing home a cash reward of P10,000.

The Municipal Band of Asuncion and the Sto. Tomas Fire Ball clinched the second and third places, with a purse of P7,000 and P5,000, respectively.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said that aside from craft and product displays that show off abundant harvest, this year’s celebration, with the theme, “Kulturang Dabaonon: Paghinumdum. Paghanduraw. Pagtahod.”, also intends to feature the imaginations and talents of the Dabaonon people. (Noel Baguio-DavNor Info Div.)

DavNor now offers affordable tourism packages

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) – Visitors can now enjoy the authentic beauty of the province with budget-friendly tour packages that showcase the best resorts and attractions in the Banana Capital of the country.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario led the launch of the ‘lets touR DavnoR’ Tourism Circuit Packages to offer bundled trips to the top destinations in the province, as part of the extensive promotions and marketing campaign of the provincial government.

The event was one of the highlights of the opening salvo of the week-long Kadagayaan Festival 2013, in celebration of the 46th Araw ng Davao del Norte on July 1, 2013.

With affordable day tour packages ranging from P800 to P1,500 per individual, foreign and local visitors can choose to bask in the allure of pristine white sand beaches or enjoy the equally-satisfying agriculture, culture and ecology (ACE) destinations in the province.

Aside from the world-class beaches in the Island Garden City of Samal. The vast banana plantations in the mainland and the highland journey in nature and culture  which will include waterfalls, springs, and lakes, as well as the Ata-Manobo Cultural Village will complete  the 'Island-to-Highland' tourism brand of the province.

Provincial Tourism Council President Araceli Ayuste said some of the tourism packages feature destinations in two or more local government units which were clustered to ensure that nobody is left out as far as tourism development is concerned.

She revealed the bundles were identified by the respective local tourism officers with the concurrence of the various tour operators and travel agencies in the region.

With the lets touR DavnoR packages, Provincial Tourism Officer Noel Daquioag said it is now easier to introduce products and services available in the different cities and municipalities of the province.

He added the project also aims to instill among the Dabaonons greater pride and interest on the best things that their own province has to offer.

In order to stir the local tourism industry, Daquioag’s office has since initiated the “Kilalanin Ang Sariling Atin (Know Your Own)” tagline to invite Davao del Norte residents to be inbound tourists and co-travellers, as well, and sharing the experiences and having fun with the visitors.

To avail of the lets touR DavnoR packages, interested tourists may visit the Provincial Tourism Office or call the Davao Tour Operators (DATO), care of Alex Divinagracia at 0932-884-8198. They can also get in touch with Tagum City Travel Agencies Association (TACITA) President Ms. Jam Baronda at 0922-850-5027. (Noel Baguio-DavNor Info Office)

Duterte-Carpio cites need to address power woes, ends stint as RDC chair

DAVAO CITY, June 26 (PIA) Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio cited finding solutions to power generation and depleting power sources for Mindanao as two major concerns closer to her heart during her stint as chair of the Regional Development Council XI.

She told reporters that power remains critical for Mindanao even if she bows out of office on June 30 as mayor of the city.

Duterte-Carpio noted that the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, the National Power Corporation and the National Economic and Development Authority Board-Infrastructure Committee and other concerned agencies responded to the Regional Development Committee-Mindanao recommendations ranging from the selective dredging of the Pulangi river to increase generating efficiency of the Pulangi IV hydro electric power plant, funding of the Agus VI hydro electric power plant and the Iligan Diesel Power Plant to its optimal operation power generating capacity.

She said the compounded efficient operations of these power generating facilities will contribute to the overall available power of the Mindanao Power Grid now and in the immediate future.

Dutete-Carpio also expressed hope on the interconnection between the Visayas and Mindanao grid, where surplus power from the geothermal power resources in Leyte will be passed to Mindanao.

She said that the RDC XI under her watch is able to come up a one-stop shop which makes easier for investors of mini-hydro power plants from five to 10 megawatt-capacity to get government nod to operate without going to the national agencies in Manila.

“Small hydro-power sources can also help in the power crisis in Mindanao,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She said her preference for renewable energy like the one generated by hydro-electric power plants is the reason why she pushed for the creation of one-stop-shop processing office for power investors.

Duterte-Carpio said that personally, she remains unsupportive of any coal-fired power plant because on its impact to environment and public health.

“My apprehension is not without basis.  There are  plenty of experiences by first world countries on the downside of the coal-fired power plant which impacts particularly on the health of residents,” she said.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)