Difference between revisions of "Davao City News June 2015"

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==[[Tasting durian, the 'king of fruits']]==
{{:Tasting durian, the 'king of fruits'}}
==[[Davao, Valenzuela among safest cities in Asia]]==
{{:Davao, Valenzuela among safest cities in Asia}}
==[[DTI-XI issues biz name in 15 minutes]]==
{{:DTI-XI issues biz name in 15 minutes}}
==[[Mindanao culinary fest re-launch set June 25-27]]==
{{:Mindanao culinary fest re-launch set June 25-27}}
==[[P10B bulk water supply project to tap Tamugan]]==
{{:P10B bulk water supply project to tap Tamugan}}
==[[DoH joins ASEAN countries in observing Dengue Day]]==
{{:DoH joins ASEAN countries in observing Dengue Day}}
==[[Mindanao's largest IT Park to open in Davao]]==
{{:Mindanao's largest IT Park to open in Davao}}
==[[E-scooters, foot walk vehicles gain popularity in Davao City]]==
{{:E-scooters, foot walk vehicles gain popularity in Davao City}}
==[[DOLE beefs up campaign versus child labor in Davao region]]==
{{:DOLE beefs up campaign versus child labor in Davao region}}
==[[DOH embarks on Hi-5 strategy to speed up services on maternal, infant care]]==
{{:DOH embarks on Hi-5 strategy to speed up services on maternal, infant care}}
==[[PhilFIDA sets commercial production of Bt cotton in the country to revive industry]]==
==[[PhilFIDA sets commercial production of Bt cotton in the country to revive industry]]==


Revision as of 09:03, 5 July 2015

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Davao City - Archived News
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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Davao City Aerial View
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Entrance to Davao City
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Nat'l Hwy Through Davao City
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Davao City Victoria Mall
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Old Davao City Airport
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Mangrove forests are critical for the stability of coastal areas and the sustainability of fish and marine resources which provide food and livelihood to people in more than 800 coastal towns in the Philippines. USAID, through the Philippine Environmental Governance Project, assisted the local government (Davao City) in establishing, through a local ordinance, the mangrove area as a marine protected area.
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USAID, through the Philippine Environmental Governance Project, assisted the local government (Davao City) in establishing, through a local ordinance, the mangrove area as a marine protected area. A crucial part in effective coastal resources management is law enforcement with Bantay Dagat teams playing a crucial role by safeguarding local waters. In Davao City Philippines, Bantay Dagat members protect mangrove areas from illegal cutting, thus conserving areas for fisheries and marine biodiversity habitats.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Tasting durian, the 'king of fruits'

By Henrylito D. Tacio (Rappler.com)

Have you ever tried durian? The 'King of Fruits' is a popular delicacy in many Southeast Asian countries

DAVAO CITY, Phiippines – Davao City is known not only for its fine beaches and the endangered Philippine eagle, but also for its durian. Tagged as one of the world’s most exotic fruits, durian is now a byword not only in the Philippines but also in other countries.

Travelers, both local and foreign, who come for a visit to Davao City usually bring with them durian delicacies – candy bars, sticks, cubes and preserves – when they go home as a pasalubong. (READ: From Davao City, make the trip to these 8 beautiful beaches)

Southern Mindanao, where Davao City is a part of, is considered durian republic. In fact, most foreigners who come to the city are surprised to know that durian thrives well in this part of the world.

The place in which the durian is indigenous has not been determined with certainty. The species is generally believed to be native to Borneo and other islands of the Malay archipelago.

Durian is common throughout Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. In the Philippines, durian grows only in Mindanao while in the rest of the country the trees are few and far between. It is also an important crop in Vietnam and Burma (Myanmar).

The fruit is famous (or infamous) for its odor. Most people say that durian stinks, that it has a repugnant aroma. But to some, its fragrance can be compared to a perfume. “It smells like hell but tastes like heaven,” described one foreign scribe.

Most airlines won't allow it on board. Singapore, so orderly that it bans chewing gum, bans durians from its subway stations and trains.

British novelist Anthony Burgess told of “the fetid exciting reek like eating a sweet raspberry blancmange in the lavatory.”

It seems among FIlipinos, many love durian, second to everyone's favorite, the Philippine mango. In a survey conducted by this author, many of the respondents singled out durian as their fruit for all seasons.

“Durian, of course,” replied Dr. HIlario Lapeña, a Filipino physician who now works in Canada, when asked what is his most favorite fruit. “Nothing beats it. I have tasted lots of exotic fruits but I still go back to my all-time favorite – durian. Friends who used to say that they hated it are now converts.”

Another physician, who describes herself as a fruit lover, likes to eat all kinds of fruits, tropical or otherwise. But durian is the best, according to her. “My first encounter (with durian) was not very pleasant due to its odor. But once you have tried to taste its soft creamy pulp, you’ll learn to love it. My husband is from Laguna and it took so much prodding before he tasted it. Today, durian is his favorite fruit.”

In the 1912 issue of the Philippine Journal of Science, O.W. Barrett noted: “The chemical body which is responsible for the very pronounced odor is probably one of the sulfur compounds with some base perhaps related to that in butyric acid; it is not an oil nor a sugar, not a true starch but a substance new to the organic chemist.”

Durian is also known as Durio zibethinus. The name “durian,” however, comes from the Malay word “duri” (which means “thorn”) together with the suffix “–an.”

There are several varieties of durian grown in the Philippines. The most important ones, commercial-wise, according to the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, are Chanee, Mon Thong, Alcon Fancy, Arancillo, Atabrine, Duyaya, GD 69, Lacson Uno, Mamer, and Puyat.

Unlike mango, durian is a seasonal fruit and generally it is eaten fresh. At the beginning of the season, a kilogram costs P60. The price will go down when more durian fruits are delivered from the neighboring areas.

When ripe, the aril (usually referred to as the “flesh” or “pulp" and only accounts for about 15-30% of the mass of the entire fruit) is usually eaten fresh. The ripe pulp can also be made into jam, preserve (often packed like long sausages), candies, and other sweets.

Here’s a timely tip to people visiting Davao and who would like to eat durian. After eating, put some water into the empty durian shell and wash your hands in it. This technique reportedly removes the smell of the durian in your fingers.

Try anything else – detergents, deodorants or whatever, but all these will be useless-- the smell will remain just as pungent.

In the Malay Archipelago, about 150 years ago, famed Victorian naturalist and evolutionary theorist Alfred Russel Wallace wrote, “To eat durian is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience.”

Davao, Valenzuela among safest cities in Asia

By Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Davao in Mindanao and Valenzuela in Metro Manila are among the safest cities in Asia, according to Numbeo, the largest database of user-contributed data about cities and countries worldwide.

Davao City placed second in the list of top 10 Asian cities with lowest crime rate. Topping the list was Singapore while Valenzuela ranked third.

With zero as “very low” and 100 as “very high,” Davao’s crime index was 17.93, while Valenzuela received a 28.32 rating. Singapore was rated at 17.36.

In terms of safety, Singapore received a rating of 82.64, Davao 82.07 and Valenzuela 71.68.

Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian credited the city government and the local police for the feat.

The city hogged the headlines recently due to a factory fire that killed more than 70 workers.

The other safe cities in Asia are Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, all in Thailand; Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei; Vientiane in Laos; Yangon in Myanmar, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

DTI-XI issues biz name in 15 minutes

By Jen Mendoza (DTI-11)

DAVAO CITY, June 18 – The office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao City and in all provinces of Davao Region now boast of processing business name registration (BNR) applications within 15 minutes turn-around time.

During the first quarter of this year, the agency reported that 99 percent or 5,036 out of the 5,097 total number of approved applications were processed within the 15-minutes turn-around time, which is defined as the time when the application (complete with the requirements) was submitted until the BN certificate was released.

DTI-Davao Region Officer-in-Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said the non-issuance within 15 minutes for the one percent of the overall approved applications can be attributed to some technical problems especially when the internet connection is down.

“Our BN verifiers need to log on to the web-based BNR system to check if the trade name being applied for is still available. Thus, if the internet connection is down, which happens at times, the BN verifiers cannot complete the entire process,” she said.

Of the 5,036 applications processed within 15 minutes turn-around time, 2,176 are from Davao City, 1,102 from Davao del Norte, 740 from Davao del Sur, 523 from Compostela Valley, and 495 from Davao Oriental.

In its quarterly report, DTI-Davao Region also noted that of the 5,097 received and processed BNR applications, 4,439 (which represent 87 percent of the total figure) were new applications.

Meanwhile, it was reported as well that 19% or 846 of the applications were processed online, or using the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) system.

PBR is a government-initiated project that facilitates business registration-related transactions by integrating all agencies involved in business registration, such as the DTI, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), local government units (LGUs) and other permit/license-issuing agencies.

When it comes to issuance of licenses and permits, DTI-Davao Region was able to issue 852 region-wide during the said period.

Of this figure, 35% or 296 are sales promo certificates, 23 percent or 194 are repair and service enterprise certificates, 17% or 144 are certificates of exemption under the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Law, 13% or 111 are endorsements for Land Transportation Office (LTO), 10% or 82 are Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificates, 2% or 19 are Private Emission Testing Centers (PETC) accreditation licenses, 0.5%or four are truck rebuilding centers accreditation certificates, and 0.2% or two are company audits on product standards.

Furthermore, 74% or 614 of these licenses and certificates were issued in Davao City.

Mindanao culinary fest re-launch set June 25-27

By Ace June Rell S. Perez

THE Davao Tourism Association (Data), in partnership with the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC) and SM Lanang Premiere, is set to re-launch the Mindanao Culinary Festival (MCF), the region's biggest culinary competition this year.

The event will be held simultaneously with this year's World Food Expo at the SM Lanang Premiere from June 25 to 27.

In its 12th year, MCF will raise the standards in the culinary competitions, as it will be patterned with the standards and mechanics of PCC, the prestigious culinary competition in the country initiated by LTB Chefs Association Philippines, the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines (PAP) and PEPGroup Inc.

"We will be restaging the Mindanao Culinary Festival. This year, it will further raise the bar in the culinary competitions, as it will be aligned with the standards and mechanics of prestigious Philippine Culinary Cup, aspired to be participated in by chefs and apprentices nationwide," Salome D. San Jose, president of Data, said during Wednesday's edition of Club 888 forum at the Marco Polo Hotel.

With around 130 participants, the event is expected to lure Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) and culinary students, restaurant owners, hotels and resort managers, and even the general public in Davao City.

The event will be judged by the country's top chefs: Buddy Tridad, president of PAP; Fernando Aracama, LTB secretariat; and James Antolin, vice president of PAP, among others.

"MCF will have eight categories. For team competition, we have Filipino Cuisine Challenge and Young Chef's Team Challenge, while for individual competition, we have local fish or seafood, pasta, quick fire salad, plated desserts, wedding cakes and dress the cake," Antolin said.

The competition is open to HRM and culinary students, and professional chefs and apprentices.

"We partnered with MCF because we saw a big potential in Davao in the culinary field since the growth of the culinary scene here is evolving. We are also here because we believe that we can learn a lot in Davao and we want it to bring in Manila," Antolin said.

San Jose said the event serves as the venue to showcase and develop talents and skills, and provide culinary opportunities to the participants.

P10B bulk water supply project to tap Tamugan

By Ivy C. Tejano

DAVAO CITY Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III is asking the City Council in Tuesday’s regular session to support the plan of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) and Apo Agua Infrastructure Inc. (AAII) to tap the Tamugan river for the bulk water supply project here.

The P10 billion bulk water supply project is a joint venture between the DCWD and AAII that is aimed at providing the adequate, reliable, and sustainable water supply system to Davao City for the long term. The AAII is jointly owned by JV Angeles Construction Corporation and Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

“If Tamugan river will be tapped, the number of wells which are operating in Dumoy will be allowed to rest and so aquifer will have a chance to recharge itself to the level that is safe and which will assure our future generations of drinking water,” Avila said.

In 2007-2008, Avila said, there was a study conducted that showed that for water to fill up aquifers from the watershed, it will take an average of 50 years.

Avila pointed out a study that shows DCWD services 60 percent of the population from its Dumoy water source of which 98 percent of this population is connected to the DCWD. Dumoy is where the aquifers are.

“The study showed that the rate of the recharge wherein the water will recharge the aquifer and the rate of extraction of which we takeout the water will level off in 2013,” Avila said.

With this, Avila said, there is a need for the city to tap another source of water which is the surface. He added that the most appropriate river to supply the drinking needs of the city is the Tamugan river, which has a triple A in terms of potability, quality, and all other requirements for drinking water.

Avila also said that if the city cannot do it now, and if the rate of the extraction will continue to be higher than the rate of recharge, the possibility of land subsidence wherein the land in the Dumoy area, will collapse. He added that there is also the possibility of a salt water intrusion wherein the water from the Davao gulf will enter.

Manuel Orig, Aboitiz Power Corp. first vice president for Mindanao Affairs, said that this project will have a long-term implication to the water supply of Davao City.

This supply will be treated by a water treatment plant to be operated by a hydro electric power plant also using water from the Tamugan River. The hydro plant will be built and owned by AAI. This will also greatly enhance the capability of the DCWD to expand its water supply distribution coverage which presently covers only 60 percent of Davao City.

DCWD spokesperson Bernardo D. Delima, meanwhile, said that Apo Agua will construct the infiltration gallery, raw water transmission pipelines, water treatment plant, and treated water transmission pipelines while DCWD will be buying the treated water and the construction of the reservoir.

Apo Agua will supply up to 300 million liters per day (MLD) of potable bulk water from the Tamugan River to DCWD. On the other hand, JVACC will be the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor for the entire project.

Delima also said a mini-hydropower plant will also be constructed to power the facility.

“With this bulk water project, city’s water supply will be sourced mainly from surface water, not mainly from ground water sourced from aquifers which is presently the case. This is a major breakthrough as it will allow our aquifers to rest thus ensuring the long-term security of the water supply,” Avila said.

Once it will be completed, the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project will be the first of its kind in the country.

DoH joins ASEAN countries in observing Dengue Day

By Lilian C. Mellejor [(PNA), CTB/LCM/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, June 15 (PNA) – As the country says goodbye to summer and usher in the rainy days, the Department of Health (DoH) kicks-off the everyday 4 o’clock Habit campaign for the prevention of dengue during the observance of the ASEAN Dengue Day here on Monday.

The ASEAN Dengue Day, which is hosted this year by Davao City, is observed by each country in the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) where simultaneous activities are held to raise awareness on dengue. It also aimed at mobilizing resources for prevention and control involving the health, private and public sector stakeholders.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, DoH officials led by Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin and Undersecretary Vicente Belizardo joined representatives from the Department of Education. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, local government and barangay officials in the whole day activities that included the Dengue Bulletin Board Making Contest in seven grade schools and seven high schools, Dengue Interactive Learning Games, a motorcade, Dengue Street Dance Competition, Walk Against Denue and commitment exercise.

Belizardo said they are holding Dengue Day in Davao City as their first stop in Mindanao, now a priority area for the dengue campaign. He said they wanted to make way into the areas in Mindanao where there are also best practices that can be copied in other areas.

Belizardo said the Philippines has been leading Dengue campaign and the country’s best practices have been shared to other ASEAN-member countries. The observance of ASEAN Dengue Day was agreed by ASEAN health ministers in 2010 in view of the fact that the countries are fighting a common enemy and joining forces is the best way to defeat dengue.

Secretary Garin has noted that dengue is transmitted in 100 tropical countries with close to 100 million people presenting with symptoms of mild and severe disease. Health officials considered dengue as an important health problem with a considerable and often under-valued disease burden in terms of frequency, cost and quality of life.

Garin even considered it as the most prevalent and important mosquito—borne infection worldwide and that it demands a multi-pronged response not only by government, private and public health sector but also other agencies.

DoH reported that cases in the country now stand at 25,616 from January 2015 to May 2015, indicating 10 percent higher compared to the same period last year with 23,151 cases.

There are 75 deaths recorded that is lower than in 2014 with 100 deaths. DoH reported that majority of the cases were males and the most affected age group are the 5 to 14 years old.

In Davao region, DoH XI reported a decrease of 35 percent in dengue cases which stand at 1,407 from January 2015 to June 13, 2015.

DoH regional Director Abdullah Dumama said the number of dengue cases is lower compared to the same period last year with 2,168. There were four (4) recorded deaths that is lower by 50 percent compared last year with nine (9) deaths.

“We should not be complacent with the result of our intensified actions to prevent and control dengue in the past years which showed significant dsecrease in the number of reported cases,” Dumama said.

Dumama said that while Davao City still has the highest cases in Davao region he however noted the best practices that helped the city government lower the dengue cases such as Brigada Dengue sa Eskwela and the active involvement of the communities to maintain cleanliness in the area.

According to Director Lyndon lee Suy, the top five regions with high dengue cases are Region 4-A or the Calabarzon area followed by the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3 (has the highest population density and highly urbanize areas), Region 10 or the Northern Mindanao area, and Region 7 which is the Central Visayas area.

Suy said that while there is a decrease in the number of cases in the country by 40 percent the government should leave no room for complacency. He said the prevention campaign must continue and strengthened more particularly the 4 o’clock habit which calls for cleaning of areas such as canals, stagnant waters, covering of containers that can be breeding sites of mosquitos, among others.

The dengue strategy includes an approach to harmonize prevention, entomological and epidemiological surveillance and case a management partners with existing government health system.

Mindanao's largest IT Park to open in Davao

By Antonio L. Colina IV

DEVELOPER Plaza de Luisa Development, Inc. is set to open the first phase of Matina IT Park, touted as the biggest information technology center in Mindanao, within the year.

The construction works on the first building started in 2013 and was completed only this year.

In a report, the first edifice has a total area of 7,423 square meters, with a project cost estimated at around P100 million.

In a phone interview Sunday, Jayson Huang, managing director of Plaza De Luisa Development Inc., said the company will start the construction of the second building within the year while the third building will commence next year.

He is set to release the detailed project description on Monday, June 15.

The development, with a combined lease area of 19, 790 square meters, is comprised of three buildings, with four levels each building.

The IT Park obtained an accreditation from Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) two years ago, joining other existing infrastructures such as the Lanang Business Park, Felcris IT Park, Pink Walters IT Building, Ambiente Teleservices and HAI Global Services.

Once Peza-accredited, any IT buildings and parks can enjoy from tax holidays for three years, business sales tax, and real property tax.

E-scooters, foot walk vehicles gain popularity in Davao City

By Joel Locsin / LBG (GMA News)

Electric scooters or e-scooters and foot walk vehicles are among the ecologically friendly means of transportation now gaining popularity in Davao City.

The vehicles are aimed at students and those who walk relatively short distances, GMA Davao's Tek Ocampo reported on GMA News TV's "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon" reported Friday.

"When I saw it, I said this could be good for students who want to (walk) short distance, they can use that," said dealer Ram Nandawni.

He added these are both environment-friendly "and cool to look at."

An electric scooter can go 30 to 45 kph, and its battery can recharge in four hours. A fully charged scooter can go up to 50 kilometers.

Meanwhile, another electric vehicle dubbed the "foot walk" is more portable but the user has to learn to maintain balance while riding it.

The vehicles cost a mere P10,000, the report said.

DOLE beefs up campaign versus child labor in Davao region

By Digna D. Banzon [(PNA), CTB/LCM/DDB/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, June 12 (PNA) -– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region XI has beefed up its HELP ME Convergence Program and advocacy drive against child labor.

The HELP ME, which is an acronym for health services and medical assistance, education and training, livelihood opportunities for families of child laborers, prevention, protection and prosecution and for monitoring and evaluation, is aimed at implementing sustainable, responsive, focused and synchronized strategies to effectively address the child labor problem.

DOLE XI Regional Director Joffrey Suyao said the program is in line with the government’s vision of a Child Labor-Free Philippines in partnership with by communities through “Child Labor Friendly Barangay”.

In last year’s survey dubbed Profiling of Vulnerable Works, Suyao said there were 256 profiled child laborers in the region mostly in the agricultural sector. Suyao however pointed out the survey did not cover all barangays in the region as there were only 25 barangays surveyed and that excluded Mt. Diwata where most small scale mining operations are located.

According to Suyao, the types of work engaged in by the children are farm labor in agricultural areas while others engage in scavenging and domestic works in urban areas.

Meanwhile, he said as reported by the Municipal Social Welfare Development officer of Monkayo, Compostela Valley province, there were 174 child laborers identified in barangay Diwata in small-scale mining industry.

Since the last survey, Suyao said government program has been initiated to address child labor issues such as the Sagip Batanga Manggagawa in 2013 when three minors were rescued in a plastic recycling factory; the Project Angel Tree which assisted 1,064 children; and, in collaboration with six organizations the associations of parents of child laborers were provided livelihood assistance.

Suyao said that in October five barangays in the Davao Region will be conferred as Child Labor-Free Barangay.

DOH embarks on Hi-5 strategy to speed up services on maternal, infant care

By Carina L. Cayon (PIA-XI)

DAVAO CITY, June 11 (PIA) – The Department of Health launched its High Impact Five strategies in a bid to speed up delivery of services on maternal care, infant and child care, and elimination of infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS.

DOH has embarked on this new direction dubbed as Hi 5 strategies that gear towards achieving the country’s targets on the Millennium Development Goals and Universal Health Care particularly on reducing mortality rates on maternal, infant and child under five years old.

The strategies also include delivery of interventions to curb cases of the HIV/AIDS (Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and to strengthen the service delivery network.

DOH presented the HI-5 breakthrough services in a summit recently held in the city which involved stakeholders from various government agencies, private sector and non government organizations providing health services.

DOH-XI regional director Abdullah Dumama, Jr. emphasized the need to intensify efforts “to improve and catch up given that there’s little time left before we make our agency report to the UN for our MDG commitment and considering Pnoy’s term will end by June 2016.”

Dumama bared that in 2010, the maternal mortality ratio of Region XI is 90 and increased to 144 in 2014.

“For us, this is absolutely unacceptable,” he lamented, adding that majority of the maternal deaths in 2014 based on occurrence are from Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental.

On the percentage of facility based deliveries, from 61% in 2010, it increased to 79% in 2014, he said.

He added that there’s still a need to do more efforts in increasing the percentage of pregnant women with at least four prenatal visits given the 85% target, though there is a significant increase from 22.8% in 2010 to 50% in 2014.

On fully immunized children, Dumama said that only 79.3% was achieved in 2014 out of the 95% national target.

The region is currently employing strategy such as Reaching Every Purok and RAIDERS (Reach and Innovate Desired Rational Score) to attain the target.

The DOH official bared that the HIV/AIDS positive in the region has reached to 1,362 with an annual average of 45 cases or roughly four cases per month within the period 1984 to December 2014.

“However, in January this year, there were 34 new HIV/AIDs positive cases which is eight times more than the previous 30 year monthly trend. This is rather alarming. Out of these positive cases, 90% are asymptomatic,” Dumama said.

“With the current situation in Davao Region and only 12 months left before this administration ends, intensification of our efforts coupled with strong commitment is a must if we are to achieve the MDGs 4, 5, and 6 targets,” he added.

Dumama urged the LGUs, partner agencies and other stakeholders “to join us in this journey. Though, difficult and seemingly ambitious, nothing is impossible if we hold on and work together.


PhilFIDA sets commercial production of Bt cotton in the country to revive industry

By Cielito M. Reganit [(PNA), CTB/CMR]

MANILA, June 10 (PNA) -- The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) on Wednesday said that it would soon be commercializing the production of Bt cotton in the country in order to revive the local cotton industry over a five-year period.

PhilFIDA OIC-executive director Clarito Barron said commercialization of the genetically-modified cotton variety would start in 2016 pending the issuance of permit to propagate which the agency hopes to receive by October this year at the latest.

“We have already set aside Php 5 million for field tests, propagation and identification of a private company which will produce the required Bt cotton seeds for commercialization,” Barron said during the 2nd anniversary celebrations of PhilFIDA held at its offices in Quezon City.

Bt cotton was created by inserting the gene coding of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin into cotton that causes it to produce a natural insecticide that is harmful to selective insects, most notably the larvae of cotton bollworms.

“Bollworms had basically wiped out the cotton industry in the country, which 20 years ago, had a production area of almost 35,000 hectares (has.). The introduction of Bt cotton would be the trigger to rejuvenate the industry,” the Agriculture official said.

“The use of Bt cotton is also environment-friendly as it would eliminate the application of large amounts of insecticides, would lower production costs and would increase the yield and productivity of local cotton farmers,” Barron said.

The PhilFIDA head said that they are targeting seven provinces across the country as the initial commercial production areas in 2016.

These are the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union in Luzon; Iloilo in Visayas; and Sarangani and South Cotabato in Mindanao.

According to the roadmap prepared by PhilFIDA, commercialization of Bt cotton would start with a 40-ha. production area in 2016; 2,600 has. in 2017; 8,000 has. in 2018; 17,000 has. in 2019; and 22,000 has. by 2020.

From these, the agency projects a production of 120 metric tons (MT), 7,800 MT, 24,000 MT, 51,000 MT, and 66,000 MT, respectively.

Meanwhile, Barron said that they do not expect much protest due to the introduction of the genetically-modified crop in the country.

He said that unlike Bt eggplant, which has received flak from some sectors and has a pending case in the Supreme Court for its propagation, Bt cotton is not a food crop.

“Bt cotton is a fibercrop and is not used for food. So I see no reason why it would not be acceptable to some sectors that are averse to genetically-modified food crops,” the official said.

He added that Bt cotton is widely produced worldwide and across Asia, most notably India and Bangladesh which are among the top producers of cotton textiles in the world.

“Nevertheless, PhilFIDA would undertake a massive information campaign on Bt cotton in the coming months so that our farmers, the people and all stockholders in the cotton industry would be educated on advantages of this variety in our economy and their lives,” Barron said.

Cost of dialysis in Davao now cheaper than anywhere else in Luzon, Visayas

By Digna D. Banzon [(PNA), CTB/LCM/DDB/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, June 10 (PNA) – The dialysis treatment in Davao City has been made affordable for patients with only P600 per session compared to centers offering treatments in Luzon and the Visayas.

This was disclosed by Trinidad F. Ola, the regional manager for Mindanao of the Nephro Group of Dialysis Center (Nephro Group) during Tuesday’s Davao Business Forum at DermPath, SM City Davao.

Ola said the affordable dialysis treatment is possible after the city government of Davao coughed up funds to shoulder part of the cost of the treatment through the Lingap Program which has been institutionalized by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. This is aside from the coverage of PhilHealth and the assistance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Ola emphasized that it is only Davao that offered the Lingap Program for poor families that cannot afford medical treatments. Dialysis treatment, for instance, the city government shoulders part of the cost for a whole year treatment. A patient will be treated twice a week or 104 sessions in a year covering 52 weeks.

She said a patient undergoes two sessions weekly at P600 per session or about a thousand per week which rate is way below compared to the past years when dialysis would cost about P5,000 per session.

She said through the years the treatment has been lowered and it became less costly especially to those indigent patients as the city government put resources making treatment less costly for poor families.

Even with a lower cost treatment, Ola said the Nephro Group maintains its mission to bring high quality and very affordable treatment to more Filipino renal patients of U.S. quality standard.

Ola also attributed the lower price of dialysis here to the cost of doing business in Davao City which is much better in terms of operating cost in other major cities in Luzon and the Visayas.

The Nephro Group was founded in 1995 by Paul J. Jochico, a Filipino who is the CEO of TPR Medical, a company engaged in the distribution of hemodialysis supplies and equipment in the United States, John F. Steffens, an American whose expertise is the management of dialysis center in the United States and Dr. Surya Viriya, a Chinese-American Nephrologist, who is actively practicing in New York.

It has pioneered operating quality Out Patient dialysis for the past 17 years with over 1 million treatments performed and the first to bundle medication, laboratory and dialyzer for PhilHealth patients.

Ola said the clinics are independently run and are not at the mercy of suppliers because everything in the supply chain is integrated.

Nephro Group operates eight dialysis centers in Mindanao, three in the Visayas and 19 in Luzon. In Davao City, Ola said the Nephro Group has two centers where the free standing dialysis center in the north at Bajada, Davao City has 15 stations while the south area at the Nephrology Center of St. Alexius, Inc. (NCSA) with its newest expansion has a total of 30 stations.

Dr. Frank Guillano, medical director of Nephro Center for South Davao City and a partner-owner of NCSA, said the people now are more aware of hemodialysis treatment; and, more patients submit for treatment because of its affordability.

He said their center runs fully booked with four shifts in a day as it could accommodate three patients hooked in one machine per shift.

Meanwhile, Guillano said there is now an increase in the number of people undergoing treatment compared to the previous years. “Two years ago our patients were only at 500 now it becomes a thousand and most of our patients belong to the age bracket 50 to 60 whose diseases were the result of diabetes and hyper tension,” he said.

The latest technology and medical supplies are being used in the centers that are all imported from the US, he said, adding these make their patients look normal unlike before where the patient becomes dark in color after the treatment.

"Our patients after dialysis will look as if it has not gone through treatment," he said.

According to him, a person must undergo treatment once the kidney is damaged in order to live longer and enjoy normal life.

Mining engineers to hold 21st mining symposium in Davao

By Lilian C. Mellejor [(PNA), CTB/LCM/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, June 9 (PNA) -- The Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers (MAEM) is holding its 21st mining symposium in Davao City on June 11 to 13 to tackle measures that will address the pressing issues on energy and the mining industry in the country.

The symposium organized with the support of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) XI and the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM) will highlight on ratifying the proposed mining engineering law to amend the old law.

According to MGB XI regional director Edilberto Arreza, the old law needs review because it is already about 55 years old.

Under the theme: “Overcoming adversities in energy and mineral development through responsible mining”, the organizers have invited speakers from the Department of Energy to tackle the Mindanao Power Situation, Policies Governing Renewable Energy Resource Development in the Philippines and Coal operating Contract; MGB national office to discuss Responsible Mining in the Philippines: New Regulatory Requirements and Ground Implementation of Executive Order 079; Application of Rock Bolting in Open Pit Mine-Laos Copper Mine, Best Available Technology for Tailings Management: A Move to Dry Stacking, Harmonizing Mine Development and Environmental Enhancement, among others.

Aside from the symposium, participants will also hold tree planting at Davao City Airport; golf tournament at the Rancho Palos Verdes; an ecotour in Tamayong Prayer Mountain and cocktails night at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

The mining engineers have also invited Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to speak on the on the status of the mining industry, the environment and the involvement of the mining industry to economic development of the country.

Health office holds HI-5 summit June 9

(ICT)

THE Department of Health (DOH) in Davao Region vowed to continue its universal health care programs with the High Impact Five (HI-5) Summit set at the Grand Ballroom Hotel at Apo View Hotel today, June 9.

Yasmin M. Avila, public information officer of the DOH-Davao, said the HI-5 will address maternal, infant health care and under five years old, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Aids, and Service Delivery Network concerns.

The HI-5 responds to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) No. 4 - Reduce Child Mortality; No. 5 - Improve Maternal Health, and No. 6 - Combat HIV/Aids, Malaria and other diseases.

Avila said with this program, the National Government will strengthen the delivery of priority health services to Filipino families for the attainment of President Benigno Aquino III's promise of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan and the MDG.

"It will be a luncheon press conference. It's a new strategy of the DOH so magkakaroon kami ng summit today to address some concerns," Avila said.

Bridge to provide new access to Davao airport, seaport for village folks, farmers

By Lilian C. Mellejor

DAVAO CITY, June 7 (PNA) – The village folks and farmers of the remote barangay of Lampianao in this city’s third district will have easier access to Davao International Airport and seaport as a new bridge will soon be completed to serve the northeast and southwest part of the city.

While the P70 million bridge, which is funded out of the budget allocation of third district Representative Isidro Ungab, will benefit the residents of Lampianao, it will also be an access for other barangays in Calinan and Marilog districts to the second district where most of the industries are located.

A combined population of Calinan and Marilog districts totals to over a hundred thousand. Other nearby barangays in the third and second districts will also benefit from the Lampianao-Callawa Bridge. Callawa is a barangay in the second district.

Ungab said this new bridge will boost travel of persons and goods within the 3rd District to the 2nd District of the city where both seaport and airport are located.

According to him, many people from his district and those as far as Bukidnon will benefit from the project which has been in the pipeline since the time of former Mayor Elias Lopez and Congressman Manuel Garcia.

The project was a priority during the time when Leoncio Evasco was assigned by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as head of the City Engineer's Office. Evasco is now serving as Mayor of Maribjoc in Bohol.

Ungab stressed the project was realized today because the amount is beyond the city government's budget and it has to be funded when he assumed as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

He said Lampianao-Callawa is now the 6th bridge crossing the Davao River after Bankerohan, Bolton, San Rafael, Maa and Lamanan.

He also disclosed that the Lamanan Bridge is part of his P270 million budget for the Lacson-Lamanan-Inayangan-Malabog Road which also links the 3rd and 2nd Districts.

Ungab has already brought in P2.4 billion worth of projects this year. Last year a total of P1.7 billion worth of projects were implemented for the benefit of the people of the 3rd District.

He said this amount is a tremendous increase from Congressman Ungab's first term when he had only a total of P170 million projects. (PNA) CTB/LCM/LDP

Summer sports fest a success

By Ruji Peter S. Abat

AN OFFICIAL of the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO) said the recently-concluded Summer Sports Festival for Peace 2015 program was a success as it has helped Davao City in the tourism aspect.

SDD-CMO project manager Cholo Elegino, in Thursday's edition of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the NCCC Mall of Davao Food Cove Function Hall, said the event was meant to lure in tourists to come to the city.

“There were quite a lot of tourists who came over not really to compete but at the same time to visit the city. There were instances wherein some competitors of the events also brought their families for vacation,” Elegino said.

Among the events which, Elegino said, has garnered the most tourist attraction was the Davao City Summer Fest 2015-Mindanao Open Invitational Beach Volleyball held at Liza's and Marithes Seafoods Grill Restaurant at Times Beach, Matina as it managed to lure in visitors from different parts of Mindanao.

He also said that tourists from Manila came in to compete in Davao City Summer Sports Festival for Peace Dragonboat competition held at the Waterfront Insular Beach Resort in Lanang.

“Even judges and instructors came from Metro Manila to also be part of oursummer fest,” Elegino said.

While SDD-CMO took charge in the games, Elegino said the Davao City Tourism Office assisted in catering guests.

He added that SDD-CMO also conducted an assessment of the sportsfsest and that they are poised to stage a bigger event next summer.

Free cleft palate operation set on Independence Day

By Joey Sem G. Dalumpines (PIA 11)

DAVAO CITY, June 5 (PIA) A free cleft palate operation will be conducted from June 12 to 20, 2015 at the Brokenshire Hospital.

1Lt. Isis Achanzar-Gabasa, public affairs officer of the Task Force Davao said the operation will be conducted by doctors and nurses who belong to the Smiles Philippines Foundation Incorporated.

She said patients are required pre-screening from their respective barangay health centers where their vital statistics will be taken and accounted for.

Achanzar-Gabasa said the families of patients must take into consideration that they are members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

She said the family must also assign at least one watcher per patient who need familial care after the operation.

“Let us take this opportunity of a lifetime,” Achanzar-Gabasa said.

She said interested families may submit the names of the patients before June 6 for consolidation at the Task Force Davao through telephone number 224-0911 or the cellular phone numbers 09283760672 or 09165801575 or any military units nearby your area.

Experts in agri expo in Davao

By Antonio L. Colina IV

ORGANIZERS of the three-day 3rd Davao Agriculture and Livestock Expo, which opened June 4 and ongoing until Saturday, will bring in some experts from the country's agriculture sector at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier.

In an interview, Celia B. Maliwat, events manager of Mandaluyong-based CMB Events Management, said the invited speakers will discuss topics that will update the knowledge of the local agriculture stakeholders on most pressing issues and innovations in farming.

"This year, we focused on showcasing the recent trends, products, and technologies in the country's agriculture and livestock businesses which aim to find solution to the continuing challenges faced by the Philippine agri sector," she said.

Among the speakers included Ernesto G. Gonzales, of the Green Bounty Agri Produce, who will talk about "the system of sustainable nature farming on how to raise Davoc chicken;" Victor Cabral, of the Nature's Glory, who will discuss "organic farming;" and David Lockhart, of Tractorco Inc., who will update farmers on "Mechanization for efficient cattle farming in the Philippines."

The staging of the expo will continuously keep the exhibitors in the loop, bringing them closer to the local market.

"We acknowledge the exhibitors' need to keep pace and to always stay ahead of the competition, especially in this rapidly globalizing world, where being competitive means maintaining one's comparative advantage through knowledge and the access to the latest technologies, expertise and resources," she added.

Organizers are expecting some 10,000 visitors for the three-day expo, which showcases more than 60 exhibitors coming from all across the country.

"Products to be displayed in the expo are feeds, seeds and crops, animal nutrition, fertilizer and pesticides and the latest technologies and equipment in farming," Maliwat added.

Also, the exhibitors are expected to generate some P100 million, an increase of 25 percent from last year's P75 million.

Migrant Workers Day set June 7

By Ivy C. Tejano

OVER 700 are expected to participate in the 20th anniversary of the Migrant Workers' Day at the Kadayawan Hall of NCCC Mall Davao at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. of June 7.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa)-Davao officer-in-charge Eduardo Bellido said migrant workers and dependents from Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, and Davao City are arriving for the event dubbed "Kasanayan at Husay sa Paggawa, Proteksyon ng Migranteng Mangagawa."

Owwa Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado, officials from Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), and Councilor Antoinette G. Principe are also expected to grace the event.

Bellido said the annual celebration will pay tribute to the valuable contributions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the national economy.

"In keeping up with this year's theme, the Owwa has lined up various activities to honor and empower our migrant workers as an important and distinct sector in Philippine society," Bellido said.

Highlight of the program include the search for the Outstanding OFW Family Circle (OFC) both land-based and sea-based category. The award serves as an inspiration to OFCs to pursue their respective advocates.

"We will also have 'Mga OFW magNegosyo Tayo,' to encourage OFWs and their families to consider entrepreneurship endeavors through a video presentation from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11," Bellido said.

He also said that success stories of the OFW entrepreneurs will be shown to serve as an inspiration to the audience.

There will also be a Tesda on-line training teasers for OFWs or dependents who wish to acquire new skills, he added.

Bellido said a theatrical presentation on human trafficking would be performed through the dance-cum-drama depicting the travails of trafficking in person victims.

Balloon making and party favors on-the-spot training program, easy-to-learn and profitable training program, awarding of scholarship certificates to the new batch of Owwa scholars, livelihood exhibit of OFW products and poster making contest are among the side events.

"Of course, we will also have a Zumba session to be participated by the officers, guests and Owwa employees; and a free medical consultation and check-up with free medicines," Bellido said.

The event is supported by NCCC Mall Davao, Bank of the Philippine Island, Philam Life, Paramount General Insurance Corporation, Pag-Ibig Fund, BDO Davao-Rizal Branch, and Land Bank of the Philippines.

Other sponsors are Philippine National Bank, Zest-O Corporation, Monde Nissin, Cybergate Davao, Natures Spring Drinking Water and Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Incorporation.

Dabawenyos join milk world day fun run

By Carina L. Cayon (PIA-XI)

DAVAO CITY, June 2 (PIA) – Dabawenyos took part of the simultaneous family fun run intended to donate milk supply to Children’s Hour, a fund raising organization catering to young children.

The fun run of Alaska Milk Corp. was aimed at contributing to the children’s organization supplies of milk equivalent to 1.8 liters per person who joined the fun run activities including Zumba dance exercise on Sunday.

Project manager Yam Maramba said 277 Davaoenos joined the family run and 280 participated in the Zumba exercise where each participant was also given one can of Alaska powdered milk and other give aways.

Maramba said the fun run was to celebrate the World Milk Day underscoring the message to “combat obesity and malnutrition in the country.”

Alaska’s press statement cited a 2008 survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, stating that not less than 16 million Filipinos above 20 years old to be overweight.

The 3rd year family fun run of Alaska was held simultaneously in Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao with live telecast on wide screen at the respective activity site.

In Davao City, the organizers declared the winners of the three-kilometer run for female category, namely Nadia Villata as the champion, Jennifer Toria (2nd) and Daisy Famador (3rd).

For the male category, Michael Jhon Sanico was declared champion, Michael Barosa (2nd) and Symon Cubal (3rd).

The milk company is expecting to gather more families to participate in the yearly-held fun run to contribute more milk to a children’s organization.

Davao eyed as top destination for cruise ships

By Antonio L. Colina IV

THE Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao is looking at Davao Region as one of the top destinations for cruise ships in the country, following the visit of a US-based cruise liner Zeghram Expeditions early this year.

DOT-Davao Director Roberto Alabado III said Sunday that there's still much to be done in terms of preparing the region for the cruises, most especially on infrastructure and logistics.

The region can only handle about 500 to 1,000 passengers, but anything more will require the tourism stakeholders to scale up its facilities, including the ports.

He recommended Sta. Ana Wharf to be developed for tourism, this being more fitting than the Sasa Port, which is designed for containers.

"Ang daming kakailangin, tapos hindi na alam kung saan mo sila dadalhin. It has to be planned carefully, the logistics will be great but we have to sustain even without the cruise passengers," he said, adding the region has attractions particularly the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos).

Alabado said some of the players he had talked with are saying many passengers want new destinations to go to other than those in Singapore.

"Itong mga nasa Singapore, sawa na sa kanilang mga cruises, they are all looking for new destinations and the new destinations are all here in the Philippines," he said.

The official added that the cruise ship industry in the country is picking up, with ports of call situated in Manila, Puerto Princesa, and El Nido.

The Zeghram Expeditions brought to the city some 80 passengers.

"Sabi nila, we talked with cruise managers, the Philippines has gone so far in tourism," he said. The last time the cruise ship made a port of call in the city was in 1999.

The passengers were impressed with how they were welcomed.

"They have forgotten Philippines in the past decade, but when they saw what Philippines has to offer this year, they said they will be back," he added.

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