DavOr Guv calls for unity, cooperation, focus

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, July 03 (PIA):   Unity, cooperation, focus are what Provincial Gov.  Corazon Malanyaon has asked from her constituents as she moves on to the last three-year term in office as the Governor  of  Davao Oriental.    

In her inaugural address on July 1, Malanyaon rallied for continued support of all people in Davao Oriental, of her fellow local government workers down to the barangay leaders as she looked forward for more development to perk up the economy of the Typhoon-hit province.  

“Together, let us move on and move up,” she said in urging everyone to sustain the spirit of “triumphs” the province had  achieved even before super Typhoon Pablo devastated the three municipalities of Boston, Cateel and Baganga.        

She counted on the comprehensive rehabilitation and development framework plan called the Building Back Better Agenda,  to work towards total rehabilitation of the three towns for which recovery efforts are founded on “spiritual transformation, moral recovery and value formation.”         

Malanyaon took the occasion as an opportunity to lay down major accomplishment of her administration in the last six years particularly on health,  agriculture, tourism development,  disaster risk reduction management, peace and security and on local governance.

She also announced upcoming developments expected to re-energize the provincial economy,  to answer community social needs, upgrade manpower capacities, and to improve agricultural productivity.     

      

Aside from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PHIC) which has made health services more accessible to about 35,000 families in Davao Oriental,  Malanyaon said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office  will soon be establishing its Davao Oriental local branch, “bringing PCSO’s financial  assistance nearer to our people.”      

    

Malanyaon expressed optimism that the agriculture sector will regain its productivity from severe loss to super-typhoon Pablo, pinning much  hope on cacao production in partnership with the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc.  (CIDAMI)  and Mars Chocolate.      

“It is envisioned that within the next year or two,  Davao Oriental will become the leading cacao producer in the country,” she said.     

She also envisioned the tourism industry to create landmark development and recognition of the province, banking on the declaration  of Davao Oriental as a Tourism Development Area (TDA) by virtue of Republic Act No. 10560.           

The declaration augurs well with the due inscription of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary as a World Heritage Site in 2014, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

         

Malanyaon  based her pronouncement on information  she gathered from the UNESCO Board meeting that she attended in Cambodia  on June 21, 2013.

She revealed such information was also released by the Philippine Embassy of the Department of Foreign Affairs based in France.            

In support to these major tourism development,   Malanyaon has plans to enhance some local tourism sites particularly the Pusan Point in the Municipality of Caraga,  the Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel and the Spanish colonial church in Caraga,

In an effort to improve more her governance,  Malanyaon intends to “continually upgrade skills and build capacities to enable them to level up the quality of services and respond to the needs of our constituency.”   (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Kidapawan City government enhances skills of Mt. Apo tour guides

DAVAO CITY, July 3 (PIA) A total of 41 participants undergo a three-day mountain guide training for Mt. Apo in  Kidapawan City, North Cotabato starting Tuesday up to July 4 at the Methodist Spotswood Training Center.

Joey Recimilla, tourism officer of Kidapawan City said the training is spearheaded by the Department of Natural Resources CENRO 4-B and Kidapawan City Tourism and Investment Promotion Center.

He said among the 41 participants 11 belong to the indigenous peoples who qualify for the training.

Recimilla said the training covers courses from the overview of the tourism industry, current trends of culture of tourism and the history of Kidapawan.

He said participants are also given brief on the indigenous communities and cultures of people in Mt. Apo, appreciation of tribal culture of the Manobos, the flora and fauna of Mt. Apo.

Recimilla bared other public relations and technical knowhow being imparted to the participants like introduction to guest relations, reception and guiding techniques, effective customer service, work values formation, duties and responsibilities of a tour guide, first aid, basic life support, jungle survival, map and compass reading, basic mountaineering course, climb preparation, planning, camp management, equipment and usage, leave no trace principles, preparing tour itinerary and conducting tour commentary and sustainable tourism and ecology.

“The participants who will pass the training will be given full accreditation as certified local Mountain Guide of Mt. Apo. This training is part of the continuous capability training for the local industry players of the city,” he said. 

Recimilla thanked the partners that provide technical support in the implementation of the project like the Department of Tourism, Philippine Red Cross, 57th Infantry Battalion, Naturalist Guide, National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples and the Mt. Apo Foundation Incorporated. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Sa ComVal: Aboitiz Foundation nagtukod ug dugang 12 classrooms sa 2013

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE-----Apil sad karon ang Aboitiz Group of Companies sa daghang mga kompanya diha sa Compostela Valley nga hugtanong nagpakita sa ilang kadasig sa pagtuman sa ilang Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) nga nakatabang ug dako sa liderato sa probinsiya sa padayong pag-atiman sa mga panginahanglan sa mga katawhang Comvaleño. Kasagaran sa gitunol nilang tabang mao ang padayon nilang pagtukod ug School Buildings diha sa pampublikong mga eskwelahan sa sekondarya ug sa elementarya diha sa pipila ka mga lungsod sa ComVal.

Gitug-an ni PGSO Chief Arceli Timogtimog nga sa 2013 lang miabot na sa 12 classrooms ang gitukod Aboitiz Group of Companies pinaagi sa Aboitiz Foundation, ug kini dako kaayo’g natabang sa probinsiya sa pagtubag sa dako kaayong panginahanglan ug classrooms diha sa pampublikong mga eskwelahan labi na nga nangadaot sa milabay’ng Supertyphoon Pablo ang  kadaghanan sa natukod nang school buildings sa onse ka mga lungsod.

Karong tuiga ang Aboitiz Foundation nagtukod ug School Buildings sa duha ka pampublikong mga eskwelahan sa Compostela nga diin, ang upat ka classrooms ilang gitukod diha sa  Aurora E.S. ug dunay laing tulo nga ilang gitukod diha sa Compostela Central E.S. Lima sad ka classroom ang ilang gitukod sa Nabunturan Central E.S., ug ang usa niini mao ang gitukod nilang Kindergarten Building.

Gisulti ni Gov. Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy nga tungod sa maayong sistema sa pagpadagan sa gobyerno ug sa nagpadayong lig-on ug hugot nga panaghiusa sa mga lideres ug mga katawhan, ang probinsiya sa Compostela Valley maoy paboritong probinsiya nga kanunay’ng adtoan sa mga donors aron hatagan sa lain-laing klase sa mga hinabang.

Gani hangtud karon padayon pa gihapon matud pa, nga giulan sa mga hinabang ang probinsiya sa ComVal tungod maoy sulti sa mga donors nga ganahan sila motabang sa probinsiya  tungod maayo kaayo ang sistema sa pagdumala sa gobyerno nga diin walay mga babag o mga butang nga makalangan sa implementasyon kay mosuporta gyod dayon ang tanang lideres lakip na ang community nga motabang sad kanila sa mga trabahoon aron daling mahuman ang gitunol nilang mga proyekto.

Tungod sa padayong pag-abot sa daghang mga tabang gikan sa national nga gobyerno, kaubanang Local Government Units, mga dagkong negosyante, NGOs, ug Humanitarian Partners, malaumon karon si Governor Uy nga mas daling maka-recover ang tibook probinsiya labi na ang mga katawhang Comvaleño gikan sa dili tiaw’ng pagkalusno sa kahimtang sa ilang pamuyo ug panginabuhian human maigo sa Supertyphoon Pablo ang lugar nga ilang gipuy-an.  (gilbert m. cabahug, ids-comval)

WAIVER ON SECRECY TOPS CHIZ’S FILED BILLS FOR 16TH CONGRESS

Senator Chiz Escudero made good his campaign promise to pursue transparency in government when he filed as his first bill for the 16th Congress a measure requiring government officials and those seeking public office to make public their financial records through the signing of waivers on the secrecy of bank deposits to accompany the submission of SALNs.

Escudero had filed Senate Bill 16 (SBN 16) or the Submission of Waiver of Bank Deposits Bill, a legislative measure he filed way back in 2010 that seeks the mandatory signing of bank waivers. The controversy involving the illegal use of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) funds prompted the filing of the bill.

“This is a transparency move I had advocated for several years ago and it is still an advocacy I am bent to pursue in this fresh mandate given to me by the people. When I went around the country during the campaign I promised our people I will continue pursuing measures to fight graft and corruption, I am only making good my pledge by re-filing this bill, my first legislative agenda in the 16th Congress” the senator said.

Escudero emphasized that “government service is a privilege and not a right, therefore everyone working in and those who plan to join the government should open their finances to audit”.

SBN 16 stipulates that all public officials and employees, except those who serve in an honorary capacity, shall submit with the Ombudsman a written waiver in favor of the Ombudsman to look into all deposits of whatever nature with banks or banking institutions, both within and outside the Philippines, including investment bonds issued by the government of the Philippines”.

The senator challenged his fellows in Congress to take the lead in the transparency move by enacting this bill into law.

He signed a similar waiver last April 25 when he filed his statement of assets and liabilities (SALN) before the Senate Secretary.

Addressing poverty, a priority – Gov. Bautista

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur, July 02 (PIA) – Addressing poverty in the province is the core thrust of newly-installed Governor Claude P. Bautista who vowed to take up programs that will benefit all sectors in Davao del Sur.

Bautista has laid down his priority programs before more than a thousand of his constituents who joined the newly-elected local officials and other distinguished guests in celebrating the 46th Araw ng Davao del Sur on July 1.

The new Governor has assured that all sectors from the agriculture, fisherfolks, farmers and tricycle drivers will benefit from a program such as livelihood projects that will alleviate them from poverty.

For his education program, he promised full scholarship grants for all qualified students from the low-income sector.

“Starting today, there will be no Cagas, no Bautista scholars. All (students) from across Davao del Sur will be covered,” Bautista said in the vernacular, giving further assurance to the scholars of the previous administration of Governor Douglas Cagas and First District Representative Marc Douglas Cagas IV, not to worry about their scholarship.

As promised during his campaign sorties, the Governor declared to carry a health program for all, citing a plan to build three hospitals in the province.

He said one hospital will be placed at the municipality of Sta. Cruz, another one at Kilometer 71 in Matanao that will also cover the towns of Bansalan and Magsaysay, and one at Guihing, Hagonoy that will also benefit nearby towns Padada and Kiblawan.

Another health plan will involve the deployment of two health teams composed of doctors and nurses to go around the barangays in districts 1 and 2, aiming to make consultations with residents about health concerns.

For the peace and order concern in the province, Bautista asked for the full cooperation of the Army and the Police.

He commended Director Sr. Supt. Ronaldo Llanera of the Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office, saying “With the presence of Director Llanera, the province is in good hands.”

The Governor announced his strong stand in fighting illegal drugs, and asked the public to give him four months to eliminate illegal drugs activities in Davao del Sur.

Bautista expressed his desire to provide complete services for the people, and to bring transparency and good governance in Davao del Sur.

He urged his constituents though to cooperate and support his programs and undertakings, saying “Dili nako kaya kung ako lang. (I cannot do it alone) I need the support of everybody.”

The new Governor also asked for a stop in political bickering in the province, as he extended his reconciliation statement to the family of former Governor Douglas Cagas who lost in the mayoralty race in Digos City during the May 2013 elections.

“It’s time to heal the wound and move on. Davao del Sur needs progress and development,” Bautista emphasized.

In his first week of office as the new Governor, Bautista said he plans to meet and discuss with all his department heads in the provincial capitol, all health department heads, and the chiefs of the city and municipal police stations, among others.

Bautista was sworn into office right after a Holy Mass was offered on June 30, 2013 at a parish church in Sta. Cruz town. 

His official function started on Monday as he led other local and national government officials and the residents of the province to commemorate the 46th Araw ng Davao del Sur that bannered the theme: “Kalamboan ug Kahiusahan, Kadaugan sa Katawhan (Development and Unity, A Victory to the People).” (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

New Bataan typhoon victims relocated in Pampanga Village

 BATAAN, Compostela Valley, July 2 (PIA) -- Typhoon Pablo victims in New Bataan, Compostela Valley province now occupy the 150 houses at the Pampanga Village in Poblacion New Bataan donated and constructed by the group of Pampanga Governor Lillia Pineda.

This was revealed by International Organization for Migration (IOM) Provincial Coordinator Consuelo “Connie” Tangara during one of the Provincial Inter-Cluster Coordination Meetings held at the Capitol.       

Presenting the Camp Coordination Management (CCM) Report before the Cluster Leads, Humanitarian Partners, and Municipal LGU representatives, Ms. Tangara also said that with the joint efforts of the government and the humanitarian partners, there are now only 1,359 families or 6,026 individual-evacuees (Internally Displaced Persons or IDPs) who are living at the bunkhouses and evacuation centers from the hard-hit Municipalities of the province.

Many of them are from New Bataan which reached to a number of 576 families or 2,471  individuals.  And the newly-constructed Pampanga Village is of big help since it caters 150 families who are typhoon victims.

Shelter Cluster Lead and Provincial General Services Officer Arceli Timogtimog also shared that aside from their Village donation, PLGU-Pampanga also handed a P2.5 Million cash donation intended for the aid of the typhoon victims, in which P400,000 was for the PLGU and the rest for the 5 identified mostly affected municipalities.

The cash donation was gratefully received by Governor Arturo T. Uy from Vice Governor- Elect Dennis Pineda, son of Governor Lillian Pineda during the successful Dinner-For-A-Cause hosted by the provincial government in Davao City. (grace almedilla/ gilbert m. cabahug, ids-comval)

MSME Week in Davao slated

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Week is an annual nationwide celebration for the SMEs. In Davao City, it is spearheaded by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council that consists of various government agencies and private companies and associations.

This year’s theme is “Pinoy SME: Business Tayo! Franchising” and this is the reason why we will bring in guest speakers from the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. and successful franchisers. We will also bring in the marketing guro, Mr. Josiah Go.

Exhibits will be held from July 8 – 14, 2013 at Ayala Abreeza Mall - Activity Center and at the Davao City Pasalubong Center. SMEs will benefit from the expo due to affordable booth rates and will serve as a means for them to market their brand, products, and services.

Trainings will be held simultaneous with the expo and aims to encourage people to become future entrepreneurs and develop existing SMEs. The trainings will be handled by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, City Agriculturist Office, SME Center of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Davao Banker’s Association, and ICT Davao. (pr)

Leadership change in City Hall commences

DAVAO CITY, July 2 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte affirmed the change of leadership in several departments of the city government bureaucracy to ensure efficient public service.

He said the reorganization affects primarily the heads of key departments of the local government.

“I need to establish first my house before I can serve you effectively,” Duterte said.

He announced the appointment of Isidro Lapena, former director of the Police Regional Office XI as head of the Public Safety Command Center, which takes charge of the Emergency Response Center Central 911 and the security of all government establishments.

Duterte mulled of appointing Councilor Melchor Quitain as city administrator given his expertise in public administration and law.

He said he wants an Islam representative to relieve Quitain as legislator.

“I want a council that is representative of all people in Davao City.  I am still looking for the guy who fits the job, straight-forward and akin to public service, so give me time,” Duterte said.

He said that temporarily, Atty. Jhopee Avancena-Agustin will be the acting administrator.

Duterte said Engr. Jaime Adalin is acting city building official will be transferred to the City Cooperative Office.

He also announced his preference for Engr. Mario Luis Jacinto as head of the City Planning and Development Office.

Duterte said he wants Lisette Marquez as chief of the City Tourism Office, following the resignation of Jason Magnaye whom the mayor bared will be joining the private sector.

He said Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, chief of the Davao City Police Office will be retained until further instruction.

He also announced the appointment of Leo Villareal as head of the city information office. 

Duterte urged residents who have emergency needs to go directly to his office for assistance since a staff is in place to help out.

He said officially, he will be reporting for work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while Tuesday and Thursday will be delegated for the residents in far-flung barangays. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)