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<center>[[Davao Oriental Province, Philippines|<font size=4>'''Province of Davao Oriental'''</font>]] - [[Davao Oriental Archived News|<font size=4 color=green>'''Archived News'''</font>]]</center>
<center>[[Davao Oriental Province, Philippines|<font size=4>'''Province of Davao Oriental'''</font>]] - [[Davao Oriental Archived News|<font size=4 color=green>'''Archived News'''</font>]]</center>
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==P8.5-M road project in Davao Oriental to boost farmers’ income==
==DavOr nets P8.6 M from quarry and mine revenues==
*Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/21665-p85-m-road-project-in-davao-oriental-to-boost-farmers-income
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R11&article=1541336638373
*By: Jonathan Mayuga
*By: Rudolf Ian G. Alama
*''January 08, 2012''
*''Friday, May 11, 2012''


TWO farm-to-market road projects worth P8.5 million were recently completed as part of the government’s effort to boost economic activity in Davao Oriental, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced.
MATI CITY, Davao Oriental- The provincial government earned P8,594,538.14 from sand, gravel and mining operations in the from January to April this year.


Farmers belonging to the Lacambita or La Union, Cambaleon, Bitaogan, Talisay agrarian reform community in San Isidro, Davao Oriental along with other residents in the area stand to benefit from the two projects.
This was a result of the establishment of Mobile Monitoring Points conducted by the Environment and Natural Resources Office-Davao Oriental (ENRO-DO), and the regular conduct of site inspections and verification of sand, gravel and mining operations.


DAR Regional Director Datu Yusoph B. Mama said the road projects are vital components in the government’s drive to spur rural development in the agrarian reform community (ARC).
A report prepared by ENRO Team Leader Derbert B. General revealed that the collected revenues came from extraction fees for sand, gravel and mining. The team has regularly conducted mobile monitoring across the province.


Mama said that the farmers would have greater flexibility in their dealings with traders, following the concreting of two farm-to-market roads namely the Junction National Hwy. to Talisay Rd. and the Bangkok 1 to Purok Dahlia Rd.
The team also conducted a site inspection and verification in all barangays with possible quarry outlets within the City of Mati, Lupon, San Isidro and Governor Generoso towns.


Some 3,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries now benefit from these roads. With their completion, there is now easier accessibility to the farms. Also, convenience in transporting agricultural and marine products has significantly improved.
They also conducted mobile patrolling at night within the vicinities of the City of Mati to check on the validity of documents used in the transport of mineral and forest products.


Mama emphasized that one of the major goals of DAR is to improve farmers’ lives by increasing their income. “These roads will help realize that goal,” Mama said.
General also said that on January 2012, the collected revenue was recorded at P1,850,191.66, on February it reached P3,631,428.36, on March, P195,280.08 and in April – P2,917,638.04, for a total of P8,594,538.14.


The farm-to-market roads were implemented under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Projects and funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.  
The provincial government of Davao Oriental under Governor Corazon T. Nuñez-Malanyaon allows the business sector to engage in sand and gravel operation for the improvement of Davornons provided that the extraction of sand and gravel shall be done without harming the environment. The government also collects revenues for the implementation of projects for the improvement of the province.


=='Small-scale miners in ComVal didn't heed warnings'==
OIC-ENRO Dante M. Ganir said that barangays where the operation of sand and gravel is located will receive 40 per cent share from the total amount of the collected revenue, 30 per cent will go to the city or municipality and 30 per cent share to the provincial government.
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/01/05/12/small-scale-miners-comval-didnt-heed-warnings
*By: David Dizon
*''January 05, 2012''


A slight tremor and continuous rains might have caused the landslide that killed at least 25 people and left 100 missing in Pantukan, Compostela Valley before dawn Thursday.
==1st coconut congress to be held in Davao Oriental==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1591336453307
*By: Neela Duallo
*''Wednesday, May 09, 2012''


Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said rains for the past 2 weeks might have saturated the ground in Barangay Napnapan. That, coupled by a magnitude 3 quake that struck''' Davao Oriental''' at 12:01 a.m. Thursday might have caused the landslide.
MATI, Davao Oriental- The Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council (PCIDC) will conduct the first Davao Oriental Coconut Industry Business Congress in pursuit to the aggressive and collective campaign of the province to develop the industry being one of the leading coconut producers in the country.


"In our geohazard maps, the contributory factor to landslide is tremors. It's not just rains...Now because of rain, saturated na yung lupa and then there was a tremor. So nagkaroon ng sinking of the soil so bumigay na," he said in separate ABS-CBN interviews.
The congress will be held on May 10 to 11 at the Lanes Kita-anan, Bonifacio Street in Mati City.


Small-scale miner Saul Pinggoy, a resident in Barangay Napnapan, said stones started hitting the roof of his house past 3 a.m. before the landslide hit. "Yung vibrations nung bato nagising kami dahil tumatama sa yero," he told radio dzMM.
Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Proceso Alcala will grace the activity along with other DA regional and local officials. Also expected to grace the two-day congress would be Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Euplides Forbes and former senator Wigberto Tanada of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF).


He said his house was only 50 meters away from the area where the landslide hit at 3:45 a.m. He said the landslide could have covered at least 200 houses used by families of small-scale miners.
With the most fitting theme “Industriya ng Niyog ay Palaganapin at Pagyamanin Upang Kasaganaan at Kaunlaran ay Makamtan Natin,” the business congress also aims to emphasize on increasing productivity and expanding value-adding to coconut, thus, giving more substance to Davao Oriental as the one of the leading coconut-producing province in the country.


Paje said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) previously identified Purok Diat Uno and Diat Dos in Barangay Napnapan last December as extremely high risk to landslides.
The activity is an ample venue where the province can formally present the provincial strategic development plan for 2012 to 2016 and mechanisms for the plan implementation, promotion and offer market-driven value adding business opportunities for the coconut farmers and an opportunity also where the province, through the provincial coconut development council, can submit proposals on coconut development related to programs and projects tapping the resources of the Dept. of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Coconut Industry Industrialization Fund (CIIDF), and present resolutions and proposals for policy action.


He said another landslide hit the area last April 2011, killing at least 13 people.
This came after the creation of the Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council was approved recently by the 13th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental.


He said geologists measured cracks on ridges on top of the mountain in Barangay Napnapan and found out that they were getting bigger.
The council started as an Executive Order of governor Corazon Malanyaon, Executive Order 08-A series of 2011, issued on March 4, 2011, after the Provincial Agriculture and Fishereis (PAF-C) came up with a resolution for the establishment of the council.


"We have been giving warnings. We told them it was only a matter of time that this will give way and now bumigay na nga," he said.
For the implementation and operation of the Council, Board Member Eric Rabat authored the Provincial Ordinance 13-2 series of 2012, an ordinance creating the Davao Oriental Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council, and appropriating funds thereof.


Compostela Valley Gov. Arturo Uy said local officials heeded the call of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to evacuate residents in landslide-prone areas.
“Our main task is to strengthen the different farmer organizations in the province. We could not pursue our aggressive effort towards the development of the coconut industry if we do not start with them, if they remain fragmented. This is the reason why often times, they are at the mercy of the middlemen and the traders, so we have to get them out from such plight. Remember that the economic indicator of the province is anchored on agriculture, particularly the coconut industry,” explained Mr. Armando Angsinco, Chairman of the Davao Oriental PAF-C.


The problem, he said, is that residents kept returning because of a gold rush in Pantukan town.
Angsinco reiterated the importance of maintaining the coconut productivity level of the province so it can go further with the development plan. He furthered that the 2 billion nuts annual production of the province in the 80’s can still be achieved. And one way is through rehabilitation of former coconut production areas that were lost because of uncontrolled or unregulated cutting of coconut trees.


"We ordered the miners to evacuate but siguro I think they went back to the mines. I think there is mining activity there again. I cannot monitor it all. The mayor of the municipality already ordered an evacuation. I have to investigate why they kept coming back," he said.
“We do not say we are not allowing cutting of coconut trees, we are. I had mentioned this even at the Regional Coconut Industry Development Council (RCIDC). But the cutting has to be regulated, and as such, there has to be replacement with every coconut tree being cut,” added Angsinco who also happens to be the RCIDC Chair.


Asked if he would order a forced evacuation, he said: "Definitely."
The establishment of the coconut industry development council is also designed to generate employment for the people of Davao Oriental.


'''Gold rush'''
"So our people don't have to look for jobs elsewhere. The industry can provide it for them. And the government can now collect revenue from the industry," he furthered.


Paje said a gold rush in Pantukan town has caused many small-scale miners in the province to conduct operations in the mountains, at the risk of their own lives. Earlier reports said miners could get as much as P1,900-P2,000 per gram of gold.
Another task of the Council is facilitating the creation of local coconut industry development council in the local government units.


The environment chief said he surveyed Pantukan town before last April's landslide and found that the area is really like "a mountain full of holes made by small-scale miners."
With the local coconut industry development councils, there can now be venues where coconut farmers and other stakeholders can discuss about the coconut industry, but Angsinco emphasized that they have to get the guidelines from the Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council. As yet, the municipality of Manay and the City of Mati already established their respective local coconut industry development councils, and to follow are the municipalities of Governor Generoso, San Isidro, and the rest of Davao Oriental.


"The houses there are almost permanent. Hindi na barung-barong," he said.
However, the PCIDC is keen on monitoring the establishment of the local council for Baganga, since Baganga has the biggest coconut production area in the province, followed by the City of Mati, Caraga, Gov. Generoso, and Cateel.


"They're like ants. Once people hear of a gold vein or a hit, they rush their without any force of mitigation, security or safety," he added.
The council also plan to conduct a coconut data survey.


Paje urged the local government prohibit the entry of new settlers in the landslide-hit area. He said this would prevent more miners to go there while local officials relocate the settlers in the danger zones.
It aims to get the clear picture of the coconut industry of the province, since through the survey, a concrete data on the total land area of the province with coconut production and the number of coconut farmers in the province will be accomplished.


He said the DENR has already stopped issuing environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) to small-scale mining operations in the area. This, however, has not stopped mining operations.
As such, members of the Council plan to have an audience with the Association of Barangay (ABC’s) and explain the coconut data survey, and get the support of the barangays.


"Most of these operations are considered illegal already," he said.
The first stop to the plan was the ABC in the City of Mati in their last meeting, and will soon follow in other parts of the province.


The environment chief said he will also work for more detailed geo-hazard maps so that local government units would see the danger zones in their areas. He warned that the possibility of another landslide hitting Compostela Valley is higher because of higher precipitation brought by climate change.
Participants to the business congress are the coconut industry stakeholders, from coconut farmer organizations, processors, traders, technology, and logistic providers, members of the Council, and City, Municipal and Barangay local government units.


"Landslides and flash floods are common all over the world but it is now getting more frequent. But if there are no people there, there would be no casualty," he said.
“We are very grateful to Gov. Malanyaon for the all out support. Honestly, this our fifth attempt in pushing the creation of the Counci. We started the push in 2000, but those attempts did not succeed because we did not get the support of the previous leaderships. The incumbency of Gov. Malanyaon gave what we need, and she even allocated a 4-Million development fund for the Council, all for the development of the coconut industry” Angsinco disclosed.


=='Super heavy rains' in Mindanao feared==
He stressed that developing the industry is no longer a big task because it’s been there for years, for generations, and what is needed is the enhancement of the industry, and manage it well.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/346734/pagasa-keeps-eye-possible-mindanao-cyclone
*By: ELLALYN B. DE VERA
*''January 02, 2012''


Mindanao has yet to recover from the destruction left by tropical storm “Sendong” and now comes another potential cyclone, which threatens to bring “super heavy rains” once it moves closer to the landmass in the region.
The PCIDC is also hopeful that it can access to the coconut levy fund already for downloading. If the province through the PCDIC can get the access, still, it will be geared still, towards the coconut industry development.


Weather forecaster Jori Loiz said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is now closely monitoring the potential cyclone east of Mindanao. He said the low-pressure area (LPA) was estimated 860 kilometers east of General Santos City as of 8 a.m. Monday.
Members of the Council include the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), TESDA, Dept. of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRI), Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST), and the Coconut Industry Reform Movement (COIR).


PAGASA will be monitoring the possible intensification of the LPA into a tropical depression within the next 24 to 48 hours, Loiz said.
“Our potential investors will be there at the business congress, after all they are just waiting for us. And hopefully, the wait will soon be finally over. They just want to see our capability, and so what we have to do also is to keep on producing to satisfy their needs,” he concluded.  


Once it develops into a tropical cyclone, it will be named “Ambo.”
==Another radioman slain in Davao Oriental==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/190017/another-radioman-slain-in-davao-oriental
*By: Inquirer Mindanao
*''Tuesday, May 08, 2012''


“The LPA is still slightly far from the landmass, but there are already advance clouds that may bring moderate rains starting Monday afternoon in the eastern and southern part of Mindanao,” Loiz pointed out.
Unidentified assailants shot dead a broadcaster of the Mati-based Catholic-run dxHM radio station as he was leaving Tarragona, Davao Oriental Tuesday, reports reaching the Davao Oriental police said.


He noted that areas in the eastern and southern part of Mindanao that may experience moderate rains are Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, '''Davao Oriental''', Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
Nestor Libaton, 47, had just attended a fiesta celebration in Barangay Ompao and was on his way home on a motorcycle along with another broadcaster, who was not identified in the report, when shot dead by two men on another motorbike.


“But the periphery of the LPA is estimated at 10-20 mm per hour of rainfall, which is considered super heavy. The amount of heavy rains is estimated at 7.5 mm per hour,” Loiz said.
Libaton, the report said, died from gunshot wounds in the face and body while his companion was unharmed.


Meanwhile, a wind convergence also adversely affects Eastern Visayas.
Juvy Tanio, Mati City information officer and a colleague of Libaton in DXHM, said authorities recovered six empty shells and one live bullet from .45 and .38 cal. pistols from the crime scene.


The LPA and wind convergence will bring mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over the Visayas and Mindanao.
Tanio said the slain broadcaster was not hard-hitting and was more known for his market reports.


It will become cloudy with widespread rains over Eastern and Southern Mindanao, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
==9,220 migratory birds found in Davao Region==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R11&article=1561336112054
*By: PIA
*''Friday, May 04, 2012''


As this developed, a P2-billion fund has been sought to be allocated for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, which suffered the severest losses in lives and property during the onslaught of tropical storm “Sendong” last month.
A total of 9,220 migratory birds were found in Davao Region during the bird watching and bird counting activity for the first quarter of 2012.


Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (PMP, Cagayan de Oro City) and his brother, Rep. Maximo Rodriguez of Abante Mindanao party-list, called on the House of Representatives to act swiftly in passing House Bill No. 5663, which they jointly filed on Monday, to allocate the fund.
Migratory bird count found in 2011 reached to 7,836.


Judging by the destruction brought by the storm, a P2-billion fund will be needed to put the two Mindanao cities back to its feet again, the two solons said.
The migratory birds came from different species like Godwit, Sand Plover, Common Greenshank and Black-winged Stilt, to name a few.


The Philippine Red Cross, meanwhile, said it will provide 1,000 shelters for families displaced by “Sendong” after it received a five-hectare land donated by Xavier University to the affected families through the PRC.
The municipalities of Malalag in Davao del Sur; Carmen, Davao del Norte and Banaybanay, Davao Oriental are the only three identified temporary habitats of migratory birds in the month of January after crossing the continents.


Last Dec. 29, PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon and Xavier University Chairman Elpidio Paras led the groundbreaking rites at the Xavier compound in Barangay Lumbia in Cagayan de Oro.
Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-11) explained that the bird watching and bird counting activity aims to obtain information on the population of migratory birds at wetlands in the region.


A total of 1,000 shelters will be built by the PRC initially as soon as basic facilities and provision of livelihood is available.
The activity, being conducted by DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD), would able to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands.


Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Jejomar C. Binay has directed the National Housing Authority (NHA) to hasten the provision of housing assistance to families affected by Sendong in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Iligan, and Dumaguete.
This is also in line with the Annual Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC) for migratory birds. AWC is a yearly event which takes place during the second and third weeks of January.


The NHA has already allocated P20 million for the implementation of the Cagayan de Oro Resettlement Project Phase II in Barangay Calaanan. Site inspection and evaluation is also being conducted in CDO Resettlement Project Phase III, a 42-hectare property located in Gusa, CDO, and Sitio Culago, Barangay Pagapat also in CDO City as proposed permanent resettlement sites for the Sendong-affected families.
The census was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and has grown rapidly to cover over 32 countries.  


In Iligan City, a 10-hectare LGU-owned property has been identified as a possible housing project that can generate 1,166 homelots.
==BFAR nat’l fisherfolk director hails from Davao==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R11&article=1561335772113
*By: Jeanevive D. Abangan
*''Thursday, May 03, 2012''


Pasig City Mayor Roberto Eusebio said a 10-man team from the Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office or (PDRRMO) left on Monday for Cagayan de Oro to distribute relief goods and medicines to “Sendong” victims.
This year’s national fisher folk director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is from the Davao Region.
 
Fisher folk leader Natividad C. Gunayan, 62 years of age, resident of Nasa Village, Poblacion Lupon in Davao Oriental has been chosen to take the place of BFAR national Director Atty. Asis G. Perez, for one month in line with the observance of the month of May as the “Farmers and Fisher folks Month.”
 
BFAR XI Regional Director Fatma Idris Tuesday revealed Gunayan as the second woman fisher folk leader chosen by colleagues to sit as the national fisherfolk director.
 
“This shows that we are empowering women to take hold of positions usually held by men,” she said.
 
In a separate interview, Gunayan looked at her present position as an opportunity to push forward the welfare of fisher folks as well as to find ways to assist women on fishing, to find alternative livelihood.
 
“Gibati nako nga dako ko ug kaakuhan o responsibilidad nga mapalambo ang panginabuhi sa mga mangingisda. (I feel that I bear great responsibility to improve the lives of my fellow fisherfolks.),” she said.
 
In her one-month stint as the national fisherfolk director of BFAR, Gunayan lines up a three-pronged agenda geared towards addressing coastal environment issues, poverty situation of fisherfolks and strengthening BFAR in general.
 
On top of her agenda is to drum up calls to elevate BFAR into a department as the “Philippines is the only country in Asia where a government agency on fisheries is a bureau only.”
 
As such campaign has been there since 2005, the fisher folk sector will be bringing a position paper on the conversion of BFAR into a Department of Fisheries to the Senate, and that it is eyeing the support of senators Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel and Antonio Trillanes IV.
 
Under her stewardship as the national fisheries director, the fisherfolk sector will also be working for the inclusion of the fisher folks as beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
 
“Daghang mga fisherfolks ang wala naapil sa lista sa mga makadawat sa 4Ps. (There are a number of fisherfolks who have not been included as recipients of 4Ps.),” she said.
 
Along this line, she noted that some have yet to fully grasp the meaning of fisher folks which, she said, refers not only to those catching fish but also to any man and woman involved in the small fishing industry such as fish vendors and fish processors.
 
During her term, she will also be pushing for intensive coastal protection through massive planting of mangroves.
 
This runs in line with the thrust of BFAR which is granting an incentive to fisher folks who would want to actively engage in mangrove planting by giving them P3 for each planted mangrove propagule and additional P2 for each grown mangrove.
 
Meanwhile, Gunayan has also seen the need to assist fisherfolk women in search of alternative livelihood to support their espouses.
 
“May mga training na sila pero wala silang puhunan. (They already have undergone training but they don’t have the capital)” she said.
She also would want women to learn “the values” to sustain their venture, and to stick with their groups’ desire to collectively prosper.
 
“Di man pwede pa-isa isa lang ang molambo, kay para man kini sa tanan. (Their progress has to collective not individualistic.),” she said referring to government assistance which is usually granted to groups of beneficiaries.

Latest revision as of 14:17, 11 May 2012

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DavOr nets P8.6 M from quarry and mine revenues

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental- The provincial government earned P8,594,538.14 from sand, gravel and mining operations in the from January to April this year.

This was a result of the establishment of Mobile Monitoring Points conducted by the Environment and Natural Resources Office-Davao Oriental (ENRO-DO), and the regular conduct of site inspections and verification of sand, gravel and mining operations.

A report prepared by ENRO Team Leader Derbert B. General revealed that the collected revenues came from extraction fees for sand, gravel and mining. The team has regularly conducted mobile monitoring across the province.

The team also conducted a site inspection and verification in all barangays with possible quarry outlets within the City of Mati, Lupon, San Isidro and Governor Generoso towns.

They also conducted mobile patrolling at night within the vicinities of the City of Mati to check on the validity of documents used in the transport of mineral and forest products.

General also said that on January 2012, the collected revenue was recorded at P1,850,191.66, on February it reached P3,631,428.36, on March, P195,280.08 and in April – P2,917,638.04, for a total of P8,594,538.14.

The provincial government of Davao Oriental under Governor Corazon T. Nuñez-Malanyaon allows the business sector to engage in sand and gravel operation for the improvement of Davornons provided that the extraction of sand and gravel shall be done without harming the environment. The government also collects revenues for the implementation of projects for the improvement of the province.

OIC-ENRO Dante M. Ganir said that barangays where the operation of sand and gravel is located will receive 40 per cent share from the total amount of the collected revenue, 30 per cent will go to the city or municipality and 30 per cent share to the provincial government.

1st coconut congress to be held in Davao Oriental

MATI, Davao Oriental- The Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council (PCIDC) will conduct the first Davao Oriental Coconut Industry Business Congress in pursuit to the aggressive and collective campaign of the province to develop the industry being one of the leading coconut producers in the country.

The congress will be held on May 10 to 11 at the Lanes Kita-anan, Bonifacio Street in Mati City.

Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Proceso Alcala will grace the activity along with other DA regional and local officials. Also expected to grace the two-day congress would be Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Euplides Forbes and former senator Wigberto Tanada of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF).

With the most fitting theme “Industriya ng Niyog ay Palaganapin at Pagyamanin Upang Kasaganaan at Kaunlaran ay Makamtan Natin,” the business congress also aims to emphasize on increasing productivity and expanding value-adding to coconut, thus, giving more substance to Davao Oriental as the one of the leading coconut-producing province in the country.

The activity is an ample venue where the province can formally present the provincial strategic development plan for 2012 to 2016 and mechanisms for the plan implementation, promotion and offer market-driven value adding business opportunities for the coconut farmers and an opportunity also where the province, through the provincial coconut development council, can submit proposals on coconut development related to programs and projects tapping the resources of the Dept. of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Coconut Industry Industrialization Fund (CIIDF), and present resolutions and proposals for policy action.

This came after the creation of the Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council was approved recently by the 13th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental.

The council started as an Executive Order of governor Corazon Malanyaon, Executive Order 08-A series of 2011, issued on March 4, 2011, after the Provincial Agriculture and Fishereis (PAF-C) came up with a resolution for the establishment of the council.

For the implementation and operation of the Council, Board Member Eric Rabat authored the Provincial Ordinance 13-2 series of 2012, an ordinance creating the Davao Oriental Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council, and appropriating funds thereof.

“Our main task is to strengthen the different farmer organizations in the province. We could not pursue our aggressive effort towards the development of the coconut industry if we do not start with them, if they remain fragmented. This is the reason why often times, they are at the mercy of the middlemen and the traders, so we have to get them out from such plight. Remember that the economic indicator of the province is anchored on agriculture, particularly the coconut industry,” explained Mr. Armando Angsinco, Chairman of the Davao Oriental PAF-C.

Angsinco reiterated the importance of maintaining the coconut productivity level of the province so it can go further with the development plan. He furthered that the 2 billion nuts annual production of the province in the 80’s can still be achieved. And one way is through rehabilitation of former coconut production areas that were lost because of uncontrolled or unregulated cutting of coconut trees.

“We do not say we are not allowing cutting of coconut trees, we are. I had mentioned this even at the Regional Coconut Industry Development Council (RCIDC). But the cutting has to be regulated, and as such, there has to be replacement with every coconut tree being cut,” added Angsinco who also happens to be the RCIDC Chair.

The establishment of the coconut industry development council is also designed to generate employment for the people of Davao Oriental.

"So our people don't have to look for jobs elsewhere. The industry can provide it for them. And the government can now collect revenue from the industry," he furthered.

Another task of the Council is facilitating the creation of local coconut industry development council in the local government units.

With the local coconut industry development councils, there can now be venues where coconut farmers and other stakeholders can discuss about the coconut industry, but Angsinco emphasized that they have to get the guidelines from the Provincial Coconut Industry Development Council. As yet, the municipality of Manay and the City of Mati already established their respective local coconut industry development councils, and to follow are the municipalities of Governor Generoso, San Isidro, and the rest of Davao Oriental.

However, the PCIDC is keen on monitoring the establishment of the local council for Baganga, since Baganga has the biggest coconut production area in the province, followed by the City of Mati, Caraga, Gov. Generoso, and Cateel.

The council also plan to conduct a coconut data survey.

It aims to get the clear picture of the coconut industry of the province, since through the survey, a concrete data on the total land area of the province with coconut production and the number of coconut farmers in the province will be accomplished.

As such, members of the Council plan to have an audience with the Association of Barangay (ABC’s) and explain the coconut data survey, and get the support of the barangays.

The first stop to the plan was the ABC in the City of Mati in their last meeting, and will soon follow in other parts of the province.

Participants to the business congress are the coconut industry stakeholders, from coconut farmer organizations, processors, traders, technology, and logistic providers, members of the Council, and City, Municipal and Barangay local government units.

“We are very grateful to Gov. Malanyaon for the all out support. Honestly, this our fifth attempt in pushing the creation of the Counci. We started the push in 2000, but those attempts did not succeed because we did not get the support of the previous leaderships. The incumbency of Gov. Malanyaon gave what we need, and she even allocated a 4-Million development fund for the Council, all for the development of the coconut industry” Angsinco disclosed.

He stressed that developing the industry is no longer a big task because it’s been there for years, for generations, and what is needed is the enhancement of the industry, and manage it well.

The PCIDC is also hopeful that it can access to the coconut levy fund already for downloading. If the province through the PCDIC can get the access, still, it will be geared still, towards the coconut industry development.

Members of the Council include the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), TESDA, Dept. of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRI), Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST), and the Coconut Industry Reform Movement (COIR).

“Our potential investors will be there at the business congress, after all they are just waiting for us. And hopefully, the wait will soon be finally over. They just want to see our capability, and so what we have to do also is to keep on producing to satisfy their needs,” he concluded.

Another radioman slain in Davao Oriental

Unidentified assailants shot dead a broadcaster of the Mati-based Catholic-run dxHM radio station as he was leaving Tarragona, Davao Oriental Tuesday, reports reaching the Davao Oriental police said.

Nestor Libaton, 47, had just attended a fiesta celebration in Barangay Ompao and was on his way home on a motorcycle along with another broadcaster, who was not identified in the report, when shot dead by two men on another motorbike.

Libaton, the report said, died from gunshot wounds in the face and body while his companion was unharmed.

Juvy Tanio, Mati City information officer and a colleague of Libaton in DXHM, said authorities recovered six empty shells and one live bullet from .45 and .38 cal. pistols from the crime scene.

Tanio said the slain broadcaster was not hard-hitting and was more known for his market reports.

9,220 migratory birds found in Davao Region

A total of 9,220 migratory birds were found in Davao Region during the bird watching and bird counting activity for the first quarter of 2012.

Migratory bird count found in 2011 reached to 7,836.

The migratory birds came from different species like Godwit, Sand Plover, Common Greenshank and Black-winged Stilt, to name a few.

The municipalities of Malalag in Davao del Sur; Carmen, Davao del Norte and Banaybanay, Davao Oriental are the only three identified temporary habitats of migratory birds in the month of January after crossing the continents.

Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-11) explained that the bird watching and bird counting activity aims to obtain information on the population of migratory birds at wetlands in the region.

The activity, being conducted by DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD), would able to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands.

This is also in line with the Annual Asian Waterfowl Census (AWC) for migratory birds. AWC is a yearly event which takes place during the second and third weeks of January.

The census was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and has grown rapidly to cover over 32 countries.

BFAR nat’l fisherfolk director hails from Davao

This year’s national fisher folk director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is from the Davao Region.

Fisher folk leader Natividad C. Gunayan, 62 years of age, resident of Nasa Village, Poblacion Lupon in Davao Oriental has been chosen to take the place of BFAR national Director Atty. Asis G. Perez, for one month in line with the observance of the month of May as the “Farmers and Fisher folks Month.”

BFAR XI Regional Director Fatma Idris Tuesday revealed Gunayan as the second woman fisher folk leader chosen by colleagues to sit as the national fisherfolk director.

“This shows that we are empowering women to take hold of positions usually held by men,” she said.

In a separate interview, Gunayan looked at her present position as an opportunity to push forward the welfare of fisher folks as well as to find ways to assist women on fishing, to find alternative livelihood.

“Gibati nako nga dako ko ug kaakuhan o responsibilidad nga mapalambo ang panginabuhi sa mga mangingisda. (I feel that I bear great responsibility to improve the lives of my fellow fisherfolks.),” she said.

In her one-month stint as the national fisherfolk director of BFAR, Gunayan lines up a three-pronged agenda geared towards addressing coastal environment issues, poverty situation of fisherfolks and strengthening BFAR in general.

On top of her agenda is to drum up calls to elevate BFAR into a department as the “Philippines is the only country in Asia where a government agency on fisheries is a bureau only.”

As such campaign has been there since 2005, the fisher folk sector will be bringing a position paper on the conversion of BFAR into a Department of Fisheries to the Senate, and that it is eyeing the support of senators Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Under her stewardship as the national fisheries director, the fisherfolk sector will also be working for the inclusion of the fisher folks as beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“Daghang mga fisherfolks ang wala naapil sa lista sa mga makadawat sa 4Ps. (There are a number of fisherfolks who have not been included as recipients of 4Ps.),” she said.

Along this line, she noted that some have yet to fully grasp the meaning of fisher folks which, she said, refers not only to those catching fish but also to any man and woman involved in the small fishing industry such as fish vendors and fish processors.

During her term, she will also be pushing for intensive coastal protection through massive planting of mangroves.

This runs in line with the thrust of BFAR which is granting an incentive to fisher folks who would want to actively engage in mangrove planting by giving them P3 for each planted mangrove propagule and additional P2 for each grown mangrove.

Meanwhile, Gunayan has also seen the need to assist fisherfolk women in search of alternative livelihood to support their espouses.

“May mga training na sila pero wala silang puhunan. (They already have undergone training but they don’t have the capital)” she said. She also would want women to learn “the values” to sustain their venture, and to stick with their groups’ desire to collectively prosper.

“Di man pwede pa-isa isa lang ang molambo, kay para man kini sa tanan. (Their progress has to collective not individualistic.),” she said referring to government assistance which is usually granted to groups of beneficiaries.

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