Panabo starts 2014 with a BOSS Program

PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte, January 7, 2014 (PIA) – The Local Government Unit of Panabo City through the Business Permit and Licensing Section (BPLS) has started its Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) program last January 2 at the New City Hall lobby to facilitate the easy renewal permits and licenses of businesses and establishments.

Regularly Panaboans may renew their permits this year such as an occupational permit, business permit, laray-laray permit, Motorize Tricyle Operator’s Permit (MTOP), Trisikad Operator’s Permit (TOP), and a mayor’s certification. The program also facilitates payments for real property tax clearance which is a requirement for a business permit.

BPLS head Leo Angelo Estrella said that the advantage of renewing a permit in the BOSS program is that transactions are faster and comfortable compared to the regular procedure since all regulatory offices are in one place. “We try to accommodate the people na ma comfortable sila sa pagrenew diri sa City Hall. We provide the necessary things para ma satisfy sila sa among serbisyo,” he added.

Also the BPLS is planning to organize a Barangay One Stop Shop operation this coming March 2014 for sari-sari store owners and other small businesses in each barangay.

The Local Government Unit of Panabo City encourages business and establishment owners to renew their business license and other permits as soon as possible. The penalty for not renewing their license on or before January 20, 2014 will pay 25% of the tax due and an additional 2% interest per month.(Michael Angelo A. Resueño, Panabo CIO)

LGU Kapalong launches Executive-Legislative Agenda

KAPALONG, DAVAO DEL NORTE, January 7, 2014 (PIA) - The Municipal Government of Kapalong  launched its Executive-Legislative Agenda highlighted with a covenant signing among its stakeholders on December 27, 2013 at the SB Session Hall.

Stakeholders representing the different sectors in the municipality who have been instrumental during the  formulation process were all present along with the department and section heads, barangay officials and  municipal officials headed by Mayor Edgardo L. Timbol.

Vice Mayor  Ma. Theresa R. Timbol in her message stressed that the  Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) resembles  a powerful tool for effective local governance.

VM Timbol further stressed that she was happy that finally the executive and legislative departments came up with a 3-year development thrust and priorities in line with their common vision, mission and goals for the municipality.

Moreover, the vice mayor also mentioned that the ELA serves as their performance management device which would encourage them to aim for greater results particularly in crafting ordinances in support to the  executive department’s program of government.

The ELA was inspired with its working philosophy, The ELT THRUST : “Economic and Leadership Transformation Driven with Transparent, Honest, Responsive and Unwavering Services Committed to the Trust of the People”.

As a planning document, it covers a 3-year period of plans and programs which corresponds to the term of  our elected municipal officials which they mutually conceptualized and agreed upon with the rest of the stakeholders-participants.

Such accomplishment was even given more significance with the unison reading of the pledge of commitment before the ceremonial signing.

DILG Provincial Director Alex C. Roldan, who served as the facilitator of the series of formulation workshops was also present  with Kapalong MLGOO Jonathan Leybag.

Roldan bared that it was Vice Mayor Timbol who really pushed for the ELA formulation. He  further commended the vice mayor for such passionate interest and enthusiasm.

Mayor Timbol expressed his gratitude to everybody for such another milestone of the local government. He stressed that the realization of the ELA would manifest that his administration is true to his promise of true and sincere governance. (cj-MIO Kapalong)

LGU Tagum allocates 4M pesos for medical assistance

By: Tagum City Information Office

The City Government of Tagum increased its 2014 allocation for health care services for its indigent residents to the tune of four million pesos which shifted the local government’s pursuit for a revitalized health care services under Mayor Allan L. Rellon’s EAGLE WINGS Program.

This is two million pesos higher compared to last year after the local chief executive saw the immediate need to increase the local government’s fund for health services following the surge of indigent patients availing of the free medical assistance given by the local government.

The four million peso allocation represents the direct services delivery under the LGU’s Kaagapay Pang-Medikal Program which is implemented in partnership with Davao Regional Hospital.

The city government and the state-operated DRH made this pact official by signing the memorandum of agreement last January 6, 2013 in Tagum City’s Freedom Park Stage, with Mayor Rellon and DRH’s Supervising Administrative Officer Carlito Pillerin as signatories.

Witnesses during the MOA signing are some members of the 6th City Council of Tagum and City Administrator Giovanni L. Rellon.

Medical coverage under the Kaagapay Pang-Medikal Program includes free acquisition of medicines, laboratory tests, ECG, x-ray and other essential medical and laboratory procedures.

While the budget for this year carries a huge figure, the local government under the direct advise from the mayor can provide supplemental budget if the amount is already exhausted.

Those who can avail of the program should a bona fide resident of Tagum and classified as indigent under the social services of both the LGU and DRH. | Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum

The search for David Tan

A "nom de guerre" appears to be the only link to big time smuggling that has engulfed Philippines shores for so many years.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has indicated this Sunday over a government-sponsored television program hosted by ABS-CBN Regional Network Group.

A certain "David Tan" turns out to be a fictitious name, a smokescreen most shadowy groups are wont to employ in order to perpetrate their nefarious trade, Duterte explains.

Duterte recently received a wake up call from Kim Henares, who described  Mindanao's busiest business hub as the weakest link in the government anti-smuggling drive.

As one of the primary concerns of any BIR commissioner, smuggling since time immemorial has been unstoppable.

Here comes the imaginary "Goliath" representing the  tax targeting-oriented government agency. In what could be a move establishing a sword bearer or an anti-smuggling czar in this part of the country, Henares meets Duterte to map out policies and strategies to counter unabated smuggling of goods in different major ports of entry.

Taking most of the ire of Duterte is the smuggling of imported rice which the iron-fist mayor warns is affecting mostly the small Filipino farmers.

The new Henares-Duterte tandem versus widespread smuggling, if successful, could turn the tide against self-styled "David" in the ensuing reversal of roles of Biblical proportion. (RS)

Duterte strict enforcement of drunk and reckless driving law

DAVAO CITY, Jan 7 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the police to strictly enforce the law against driving under the influenced of either alcohol or drugs.

Speaking during the command conference with the security sector, he said that once drunk drivers are arrested the police must not only ask for the license and let them go.

He said drunk drivers could just kill pedestrians along the way.

Duterte said drunk drivers must be brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center where they are required to undergo intoxication test afterwards they must be put in jail.

“That is reckless driving.  You do not allow them to continue driving at night or else they would kill somebody,” he said.

Duterte stressed regardless of the presence of pedestrian lanes, motorists must yield to pedestrians.

He said that the reason by motorists not to stop because of the absence of pedestrian lanes is unacceptable.

Duterte said the best way to determine the culpability of motorists accused of drunk driving is to bring him to the government medical facility for a sobriety test.

He also vowed to provide legal assistance to families who sue respondents to reckless driving.

“The city government is morally and legally responsible in helping affected families in filing charges against reckless driving.  It is the duty of the city government to protect the people, “Duterte said.

He ordered the police to sue the driver of the pick-up truck which bumped a couple who was crossing a pedestrian lane at the corner of Roxas Avenue and C.M. Recto Street during the Holidays.

To encourage more arrests, Duterte offered the police a reward for every arrest made relative to drunk driving.

During the latest episode of the public affairs program, “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa,” the mayor showed several scenes of reckless driving, overspeeding and road accidents monitored by the Public Safety Command Center which prompted him to come up with the local ordinance setting the speed limit for motor vehicles on the city streets.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

DavNor PLGU, New Corella town top nutrition awards

DAVAO DEL NORTE, January 6, 2013 (PIA) – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) conferred the top honors to the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte and the Municipality of New Corella for their significant stride in ending extreme hunger and malnutrition.

Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson, Regional Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-XI, and Governor Rodolfo del Rosario led the reenactment of the conferment of the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award to both the province and the municipality, during Capitol’s first Convocation program in 2014 last Monday (Jan 6).

The province of Davao del Norte and New Corella town earlier received the CROWN award during the 2013 National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony held in Manila recently, for having won the Nutrition Green Banner Award (GBA) for three consecutive years.

Both local government units clinched the GBA, particularly in 2010, 2011 and 2012 for their very satisfactory performance in implementing the government’s nutrition program.

The LGUs also received a cash prize of P500,000 each, which will be utilized to boost their respective nutrition programs, projects and activities.

Ungson lauded the exceptional performance of the province, particularly in the micro-nutrient supplementation, which significantly cut malnutrition rate among preschoolers in Davao del Norte from 6.66 percent in 2011 to 4.6 percent in 2012.

Del Rosario reiterated Capitol’s dedication to maintain and further its outstanding performance to attain zero malnutrition in keeping with the province’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.

“Along with our efforts to achieve food sufficiency is our deep commitment to engender a well-nourished and productive population,” he said.

The Governor received the Nutrition Champion award, while the local chief executives of the performing LGUs were also honored for their all-out support to the nutrition program.

Sherwin Abellaniza of Brgy. Magugpo East, Tagum City was also recognized for clinching the 2nd Runner Up for the National Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar award. He received a cash prize of P80,000 in the national awarding rites.

The Island Garden City of Samal also won a Green Banner Award. Other outstanding local governments units include Tagum City, Panabo City and Kapalong.(Noel Baguio_DavNor PIO)

Subangan museum in DavOr to be formally opened

DAVAO ORIENTAL, Jan. 07 (PIA)—The Subangan Provincial Museum of Davao Oriental will formally be  opened tomorrow giving visitors an eye-view of the rich cultural and historical heritage as well as the natural beauty and bounty of the province.

Subangan  is a Bisayan term meaning “East”  which  the people of Davao Oriental perceives as a symbol of optimism and “resiliency to rise up and move forward to face challenges and trying times.”  Provincial Gov. Corazon Malanyaon said in a message, citing the devastation that the Davao Oriental experienced last year  due to Typhoon Pablo.

The provincial museum puts on display treasured relics, photos, videos, interactive visuals, documents, fabrics and other products as “proofs and testaments  of the province’s culture and history.”

“It allows  one to  experience  the breath-taking beauty of its  natural wonders - the glorious cascading waters of  Aliwagwag falls,  the  amazing pygmy forest and biodiversity sanctuary  of Mount Hamiguitan Range, varied  crystal waterfalls,   pristine white sand beaches,   verdant green islands,  mysterious caves,  and, tranquil  rivers and lakes,” Malanyaon said. 

Malanyaon also revealed the display of the fossilized 50-foot long sperm whale believed to be the largest in the Philippines and the 7th largest in the world, that went ashore in Governor Generoso in 2011.

“This display reminds us of our inherent duty to take care of the environment and natural resources - from the mountains to the seas...from ridges to reefs,” she said.

Aside from  local government officials, Department of Tourism Assistant Sec. Arturo Boncato and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tadeo Lapid  of  the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) are expected to grace the occasion.

To match the colorful museum display, cultural presentations and musical renditions will  form part of the grand opening which is expected to  draw a number of visitors invited by the provincial government of Davao Oriental.  (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)