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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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==Autism society invites Dabawenyos to national meet==
==DavOr nets P8.6 M from quarry and mine revenues==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R11&article=1551333761667
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R11&article=1541336638373
*By: PIA
*By: Rudolf Ian G. Alama
*''April 07, 2012''
*''Friday, May 11, 2012''
 
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==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1591336453307
*By: Neela Duallo
*''Wednesday, May 09, 2012''
 
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.


Autism Society Philippines (ASP) invites Dabawenyos to its 12th National Conference on Autism and 2nd Southeast Asian Conference on Autism on April 28 and 29, 2012 (Saturday and Sunday), with the theme “Living with Autism: Hope@Home” at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Avenue corner ADB Avenue, Quezon City.
Another task of the Council is facilitating the creation of local coconut industry development council in the local government units.


This year’s conference aims to promote, first and foremost, acceptance of autism within the family. It seeks to empower families to make informed decisions and to take bolder steps to ensure quality life for their member with autism.
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.


It will also provide a fresh perspective to professionals as collaborative and supportive partners of families in the management of autism.
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.


It will feature interactive web interviews with Dr. Temple Grandin and Dr. Stephen Shore, two of the renowned experts on autism in the world. Also sharing their knowledge during the conference are local experts Dr. Alexis L. Reyes, one of the country’s leading Developmental Pediatricians, Dr. Michael Tan, and Dr. Lourdes “Honey” Carandang. It will showcase local experiences of parents, siblings and persons with autism as self-advocates.
The council also plan to conduct a coconut data survey.


It will also showcase initiatives of the government (Carmona, Cavite) and the private sector [Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)], both in the rural and urban settings, to provide programs and services for families and communities facing the challenges of autism.
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.


A special registration rate is available for a group of ten (10) participants. Registrants may pay by depositing payment to Autism Society Philippines, Metrobank-Kamias Branch, Savings Account No. 047-3-04751874-2. Kindly fax to (632)9266941 or e-mail to the address below a copy of the deposit slip with the name/s of the participant/s.
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.


For more information on the conference, please contact our Conference Coordinator, Reynaldo Refran at telephones (02)926-6941, (02)929-8447, mobile number (0926)694-4936 or email aspnc2012@gmail.com .  
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.


==DOE assures of govt. efforts in addressing Mindanao power situation==
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.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R11&article=1561333517823
*By: Carina L Cayon
*''April 04, 2012''


The Department of Energy has assured energy stakeholders in Mindanao that the government is taking its best efforts in addressing the power situation in the island.
“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.


DOE Undersecretary Josefina Patricia Asirit made the assurance in the Mindanao Energy Stakeholders Meeting on Tuesday here, as she presented DOE’s undertakings and recommended solutions to improve the power supply in Mindanao.
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.


Asirit told power distributors and electric cooperatives across Mindanao of the current power supply deficit of 100-160 mega watts in the Mindanao grid from 360 MW during the previous months.
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.


As part of the short-term solutions to this condition, Asirit said DOE is pushing for the re-opening of the Iligan Diesel Power Plant (IDPP), which has been shutdown since June 2010 pending evaluations and clearance by the Commission on Audit (COA).
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).


Once operational, IDPP is expected to produce an initial power of 20-30 MW and may increase up to its full capacity of 100 MW upon rehabilitation, Asirit stated.
“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.  


“We hope we can put it online within the next four months, if not earlier,” she told the media in a press conference held after the stakeholders’ meeting on the same day at the Grand Regal Hotel, this city.
==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''


Another short-term solution being mulled by DOE is the transfer of power barges as stop-gap measures needed in Mindanao.
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.


Asirit said two power barges are up for transfer next year that would provide 120 MW and 70 MW respectively. “This would certainly be more than enough to help augment the 200 MW shortfall,” she stated.
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.


She said there is one power barge existing with a 32-MW capacity but is only generating 5 MW due to its location in a cement plant.
Libaton, the report said, died from gunshot wounds in the face and body while his companion was unharmed.


The rest of the existing power barges also with a 32-MW capacity each require maintenance to operate full generation capacity, she added.
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.


DOE’s short-term solutions include the installation of the Mindanao Coal-fired Power Plant of the STEAG State Power, Inc. which has a 10 MW un-contracted capacity, and the acceleration of energy efficiency program.
Tanio said the slain broadcaster was not hard-hitting and was more known for his market reports.


Asirit explained that these short-term solutions are temporary just as not to hamper the development of the industry, while DOE is also making efforts for the long-term solutions.
==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''


In averting the power situation in Mindanao from becoming a crisis in the future, DOE saw the need for technical rehabilitation and upgratdng of power generation plants to generate more power.
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.


The DOE official said the 180-MW Pulangi Complex run-off river hydropower plant will need to be repaired starting this month to operate in its full generation capacity.
Migratory bird count found in 2011 reached to 7,836.


For the period of April to May, Pulangi river will be at its lowest water elevations which will reduce power generation of about 100-130 MW.
The migratory birds came from different species like Godwit, Sand Plover, Common Greenshank and Black-winged Stilt, to name a few.


However, Asirit clarified that Pulangi Complex is still generating in its full capacity of 180MW as of this time, and explained that the rehabilitation plan is aimed at preventing the plant from further damage.
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.


The Agus 6 Complex, a hydropower plant, is also set for rehabilitation and uprading in June this year, she said adding that the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has already approved three weeks ago the P2.6 budget for the plant’s repair.
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.


Asirit said the rehabilitation of the Units 1 and 2 of the Agus 6 plant will bring about additional 19 MW to produce a total of 44 MW, and will ensure another 30 years of existence.
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.


The Energy Undersecretary has also reported that the issuance of DOE Circular DC2012-03-00419 in March 2012 aiming to rationalize the power supply in Mindanao has already gained positive results.
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 Circular directs electric cooperatives to nominate their needed power to supply their demands which DOE said has resulted to reduction of power outages.
The census was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and has grown rapidly to cover over 32 countries.  


Asirit said that as of Sunday, only nine out of the 27 electric cooperatives in Mindanao have experienced brownouts since January this year, with reduced duration of at least 30 minutes to two hours.
==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''


She clarified that not all areas in Mindanao have power outages such as the areas of Cotabato, Panabo, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Davao.
This year’s national fisher folk director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is from the Davao Region.


With the issuance of the Circular, areas not experiencing interruptions now include Malaybalay, Dipolog, Dapitan, Valencia, Camiguin, Panabo, Digos, Tagum, Mati, Cotabato, Surigao, Butuan, and Cabadbaran, DOE said.  
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.


==Snorkeling site opens in Davao Oriental==
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.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R11&article=1561333254237
*By: Carina L Cayon
*''April 01, 2012''


MATI CITY, Davao Oriental- A snorkeling site in the city is now open for local and foreign enthusiasts and tourists to take in their itineraries when they visit the province especially this summer season.
“This shows that we are empowering women to take hold of positions usually held by men,” she said.


The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region recently opened the snorkeling area at Barangay Tamisan in Mati City as an offshoot to the enterprise development efforts of DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP).
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.


DENR-XI signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the local government of Mati City and the Tamisan Marine Protected Area Fisherfolk Association (TAMPAFAS) in implementing the ICRMP in the city.
“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.


As part of the agreement, 17 reef rangers were trained, and are now ready to guide tourists who want to explore the surface of the bay.
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.


The trained reef rangers received their brand new snorkeling gears such as mask, fins, life vests, goggles and diving suits after the MOA signing on March 27.
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.


Mayor Michelle Rabat who represented Mati LGU in the MOA, emphasized the need of protecting and conserving the coastal area of Barangay Tamisan in order to lure more tourists to come and snorkel in the area.
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.


“Protecting and conserving the coastal areas also means sustaining your livelihood and enjoying the coastal resources specifically fishes. I am very happy that this enterprise development activity is finally realized,” Rabat said.
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).


Rabat pledged to provide TAMPAFAS a service vehicle for their snorkeling and livelihood activities.
“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.


TAMPAFAS was represented by its president Giovanni Lazaro in the MOA signing, while DENR-XI was headed by its regional technical director Emmanuel Isip.
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.


The snorkeling package also features food treat of special native delicacies of Mati City such as taro (local name for gabi), cassava cooked with coconut milk and sugar, salvaro, puto-cassava, lumpia, ube and the local version of mudslide made of milo, milk, tuba (coconut wine) and many more.
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, DENR-XI Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna said that DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje have been closely monitoring the ICRMP implementation all over the country.
Meanwhile, Gunayan has also seen the need to assist fisherfolk women in search of alternative livelihood to support their espouses.


Paje was instrumental for the early release of the P441,603.00 as a funding support to the association for its start-up capital.
“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.


The DENR-ICRMP will continuously monitor the association’s activities and provide them technical assistance when necessary.
“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.