DavNor Gov braces for further impact of climate change in province

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, July 01 (PIA):   Adapting to climate change and becoming resilient to disaster risk are challenges that Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario is bracing for, in his last three years as governor.

 In his inaugural address Sunday (June 30) at the RDR Gym and Cultural Center,  del Rosario called attention to the “veritable challenge” of transforming human development programs “to be climate change adaptive and disaster risk resilient.”

He pushed for such move as he warned of possible loss of development gains  that his administration had worked for, to  the adverse effects of global climate change.

While he cited Davao del Norte to have ranked among the fast-growing provinces in the country in the last 46 years, he revealed the geo-statistics study of the Department of Agriculture (DA) which found out that 66 percent of Davao del Norte’s land area or 205,000 hectares, is vulnerable to flood, drought and landslides.

“This means, the hard-earned gains we have today are likely to be swept away in a blink of an eye,”  he said.

Del Rosario related his concern to  the implementation of Climate Change Act  (CCA) and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) which he viewed as twin major policies of President Benigno S. Aquino III that would redefine the global and national priorities.

“We  must be able to align to these priorities to be able to catch the windfall of public investments,”  he said.

While noting the typhoon path to have moved closer to the Davao Region,  Del Rosario pointed out the need  to strengthen the positive behavior  and the culture of safety among his constituents.

He expected to see engineering works to result in reduced incidence of flooding;  the agricultural innovations to mitigate the impact of climate change especially to livelihood of communities; and the sense of preparedness imbibed in the consciousness of  the people.

Del Rosario hoped for response to disaster  be made “swift, efficient and strictly, zero-casualty”  by collaborating with government agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector.

While  mapping out pro-active moves to mitigate  the effects of climate change,  Del Rosario still keeps sight of his P.E.O.P.L.E.  development agenda, giving priority on health, education and income opportunities.

He placed his agenda on people empowerment,  public-private partnership and strengthening links to the world as strategic  means of facilitating the achievement of his development priorities.

In his last three years,  Del Rosario also intended to push for road developments connecting Davao del Norte to neighboring provinces;  to bring back the greenery of mountains in support of the 1 billion trees program of Pres. Aquino;  to support efforts to answer  needs of local schools for new facility; to continue improving the provincial hospitals; to improve the productivity of farmers;   and to realize the target outcomes of the Aus-Aid assisted Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) in roads management, human resource management, internal operations and revenue generation.

Del Rosario encouraged people’s participation and cooperation in working out the realization of his goals.  (PIA XI/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)

Veteran and rookie LGU chiefs assume offices

DAVAO CITY, July 1 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte took his oath of office on his seventh term as chief executive thanking the people for their support in all programs of city government that catapulted the city to progress.

Speaking to the people during his inaugural address, he said the firecracker ban, anti-smoking and curfew for minors’ ordinances would not have created an impact without the people’s cooperation.

“Whatever gains and awards we amassed would never been realized without the support and cooperation that you the people, gave the city’s leadership,” Duterte said.

He underscored that the city is indeed gifted with good people, not just its reach flora and fauna, fertile fields and pristine waters, and abundant natural resources.

Duterte said Davao City has reached its greatness now because the people care, share and work with the local government every step of the way in pursuit of quality way of life and development.

“You were there in times of calamities both natural and man-made to help us without being asked.  You lighten the burden, fortified our grit and strengthen our resolve and lifted our spirit,” he said.

Duterte once again urged the people to support him in his new mandate as city mayor not only in running a government for the people, by the people and of the people.

He said his leadership will also be for the least, the last and the lost Filipinos.

Duterte also reiterated his hard-stance against all forms of criminality.

“As a matter of policy, we will intensify our efforts in this campaign.  I have said it before and I will say it again.  Criminals have no place in the city except in jails, detention centers and God forbid, in the funeral parlors,” he said.

Duterte said criminals will die if they fight authorities.             

He also warned people in the drug trade and perpetrators of heinous crimes to either stop or leave the city.

Meantime, Mayor Roel Rivera of General Santos City has envisioned his city to be the agro-industrial, financial and service hub of the south. 

Speaking during his inaugural address as the new chief executive, he assured to deliver top quality service that will spur inclusive growth that impacts to lives of ordinary people.

“General Santos City under my leadership will go beyond its image as Tuna Capital of the country by accelerating value-added processes in packaging industry, improve local facilities like airport, the Makar Wharf and the establishment of a stable source of power and introduce alternative renewable energy,” Rivera said.

He said he will also put premium on improving the competencies of the local government in order to continue working effectively and possess the ability to bounce back even during crisis situations.

Rivera said under his leadership, General Santos embraces modernization in progress while preserving its socio-cultural and political heritage.

He also stressed that public safety and security will be given more importance under his watch as he urged for public cooperation.

“We need to work together as one government unit.  We cannot do this alone, even all other elected government officials cannot do this alone,” Rivera said.

He also said he will continue to purge partnership with nearby provinces to improve more the fishing industry, tourism and public safety. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Newly-installed officials start working for a more resilient DavNor

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, July 1 -– The newly-inducted provincial officials of Davao del Norte have rolled up their sleeves in attaining climate change adaptive and disaster resilient communities to protect the development gains of the province.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario on his inaugural address last Sunday, June 30, 2013, said that his new administration shall expand the P.E.O.P.L.E. development strategy and implement programs that boost disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and rehabilitation in the next three years.

“We wish to see our communities become better and better prepared,” he said, at the jampacked newly-refurbished RDR Gym and Cultural Center.

Del Rosario hinted the effects of climate change could hamper the development momentum of the province, which is touted as one of the fast-growing provinces in Mindanao today.       

The last-termer Governor said the impact of Typhoon Pablo last year served as a wake up call, since the province is listed among the top 10 provinces in the country that are vulnerable to disasters.

He cited a recent geo-statistics study that disclosed 66 percent of the total land area of the province or 205,000 hectares are prone to floods, drought and landslides, which are the three most prominent effects of global climate change.

Yet, the Governor said the province shall firm up the positive behavior and culture of safety among the Dabaonon people to ensure the hard-earned success of the province will not come to naught.

Del Rosario assured better health, education and income opportunities shall remain the top priorities of his last term.

Among the big ticket projects that del Rosario will pursue for the next three years include the completion of road projects, such as the Kapalong-Talingod Highway, the Km. 0, Asuncion-Veruela, Agusan Sur Road, and the Mahayahay, Panabo City-Paquibato, Davao City Road.

The Governor is also keen on working for the conversion of the Semong-Florida, Kapalong Road connecting all the way to Loreto, Agusan del Sur, into a national road.

Regional Trial Court Branch 2 Judge Ma. Susana Baua administered the oath of office of the governor, along with that of Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio, 1st District Congressman Antonio Rafael del Rosario, 2nd District Congressman Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo, Jr. and all the board members of the two districts.  (Noel Baguio, PIO Davao del Norte)

Davao City police needs cars, SWAT gears, radios

DAVAO CITY July 1 (PIA)- The Davao City Police chief has drawn up a wish list of police equipment for newly-sworn Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

These wish list include patrol vehicles, SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) gears and new communication radios for the city's police force.

DCPO chief Senior Superintendent Ronald Dela Rosa said that foremost among the needs are new patrol cars for the police stations. He said that the Tamaraw FX patrol cars being used by the City are already 10 years old and are fit for replacement.

He said it would be enough if the police stations would have one to three units of these patrol cars but ideally police stations should have about six patrol vehicles. DCPO has about 12 police stations.

According to its website, the DCPO has one mobile patrol group with about 20 vehicles and is tasked to conduct mobile police visibility and respond to police emergencies.

Dela Rosa prefers the simple AUVs (Asian Utility Vehicles) such as the Jitney Type Tamaraw FX since it could accommodate many passengers. Although he wishes the police could also receive Isuzu Crosswind or Toyota Innova patrol vehicles.

Aside from vehicles Dela Rosa also would need equipment for its 30-man SWAT team like M4 rifles, Kevlar vests, tear gas and stun grenades. He said the recent incident when a SWAT team stormed the hide-out of suspected drug-pushers; the SWAT team have used the last of their tear gas.

"If an incident like that would happen we no longer have any tear gas to use." Dela Rosa said.

The DCPO chief also said they would need new radios for their communication systems and is including it in his wishlist which he would give to City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa did not give the budget for his wishlist but he said the 30 pieces of M4 rifles alone would cost around P20-million.

Although the City Mayor and Dela Rosa have not yet set their meeting, the City Mayor during his oath-taking speech yesterday (June 30) has re-emphasized his tough policy against criminality.

Dela Rosa also bared that DCPO personnel will also be receiving their brand-new Glock sidearms. Last year the Philippine National Police purchased 60,000 Glock 17 Gen4 9mm pistols for the country's policemen. (PIA/RG Alama)

Phoenix Accelerate Vega National Dragster leg in Davao a success

Leading independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines powered the 2nd leg of this year’s Phoenix Accelerate Vega National Dragster 1/8 Mile Bracket Racing Competition held on June 21 and 22 at Speed City Crocodile Park, Davao City.

About 50 to 60 cars took part in the event that was participated by racers from as far as General Santos City, Cagayan, Cebu and Manila.

 “This is just the second leg of our 2013 drag race series. We still have more to come. We also have three car shows this year, one in Tagum City this July, one in General Santos City in October, and another one in November in Davao,” said Davao Drag Racing Association President and Ground Image Team Manager Elben Pang.

The event was for the benefit of the Missionaries of Charity, an institution that takes care of the abandoned young and old.

Ground Image is the newest Phoenix Accelerate Vega Drag Race Ambassador of Phoenix Petroleum. Under the memorandum of agreement signed on March 6, 2013, Ground Image will now carry the name Team Phoenix Accelerate Vega/Ground Image Racing Team in all their events.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines is the leading independent oil company with an expanding network of operations nationwide. It is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots and storage facilities, and allied services.

OCD XI launches National Disaster Consciousness Month in July

DAVAO CITY, June 28 (PIA)- The Office of Civil Defense XI will lead on July 1, 2013, the launching of the National Disaster Consciousness Month of July with the theme, “Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan.”

Loreto Rirao, director of the OCD XI said the kick-off activity will be held during the flag-raising ceremony to be participated in by government line-agencies which belong to the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region XI at the People’s Park.

He said though the launching ceremony will only be simple, this year’s disaster’s consciousness campaign will focus more on the resilience of all members of the community amid the calamity.

Rirao said residents must be taught first to be responders themselves before they rely on the assistance from rescue groups either from the private sector or government –line-agencies.

“We must instill on the minds of the people that they have to help themselves first especially once they are caught in the middle of a flash flood or any disaster while waiting for help to arrive,” he said.

Rirao said residents especially in flash flood prone areas must know the necessity of a survival kit which can be carried easily during emergency situations.

He said a survival kit contains dry clothes, several provision like biscuits and candies, bottled water, medicines, flash-light and transistor radio which come in handy when a disaster strikes.

Rirao stressed that though disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation will still be part in the disaster consciousness campaign, residents must know how to wade and survive any ordeal while responders reach out to them. 

“Residents must help one another once they are caught in a distressing situation like flash floods.  If possible, they must be taught and learn how to swim and save neighbours in distress,” he said.  (PIA XI-Joey Sem Dalumpines)

New Tagum Mayor bares EAGLE's WINGS agenda

TAGUM CITY,  Davao  del Norte, June 28 (PIA):   As he vowed to become a  servant leader, newly -installed Tagum City Mayor Alan Rellon wanted to take the city to greater  heights through EAGLES’s WINGS.

In his inaugural speech delivered inside the Christ The King Cathedral of Tagum City , Rellon laid out  his administration’s agenda which  he labeled as “EAGLE’s WINGS.”

The acronym stands for Education, employment and culture; Agriculture and fishery;  Genuine peace, safety and security;  Livelihood and tourism;  Economy and affordability of taxes; Wellness and health;  Infrastructure, transportation and communication;  NGO, GO and Co-op convergence;  Good governance; and Social services.

In the presence of former mayor Rey T. Uy, Rellon said  he  will continue the artificial coral reef the botanical garden and the accretion area (at the banks of Hijo River) that Uy has developed

Rellon also would like to complete the construction of the new City Hall started by the past administration.  “I want to continue that edifice as a landmark of strong governance,” he said in his inaugural speech.

While recognizing the substantial development that the past administration has done to  Tagum

City, he  said his administration will continue to push the city to “greatness” on “the mighty wings of an eagle.”    

Of the 10 major agenda of his administration,  Rellon put emphasis on bringing down tax rates in the city at a much affordable level by pushing a policy  that can enable Tagum City to provide  a level playing field of more viable businesses.

In line with this,  Rellon revealed to the media his plans of conducting a public consultation to determine the level of taxes that would be “just and fair” in line with  his  objective of “extending protection and services fairly to the rich and to the poor, to the learned and the illiterate.”

Rellon was  also particularly concerned about ensuring everyone’s safety by eradicating summary killings which he revealed  to the media as having gone high in number of incidents in an average of “50 in year over a period of time.”

Rellon had long been airing this concern  with the church sector  with which he joined the “walk for peace rally held in Tagum City, last quarter of 2012.

Meanwhile,  former mayor Uy rallied support of Tagumenyos for Rellon as he also vowed  his support for the new mayor and his administration.

“Let us continue to help and support each other for the continuous progress of Tagum City,”  Uy said.  

He turned over the key of responsibility to Rellon at the altar of the Christ the King Cathedral while Rellon handed over to Uy a plaque of appreciation for having  served  as the city mayors  for 12  years in three consecutive terms and in 1998 to 2001.  (piaxi/Jeanevive D.Abangan).