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Davao City News November 2012

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Davao City - Archived News
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The Seal of Davao City
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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.

Davao City library now at par with international libraries

(PNA), LAM/ASALLADA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 30 (PNA) -- The Davao City Public Library will be turned into the most modern and most effective tool to reach out and help majority of the public.

City Librarian Nora Fe Alajar said she attended last month the conference on libraries and development in Washington, DC that brought together librarians, policymakers and funders to look at the ways that public libraries can deliver information and advance development.

“It really gave me more insights on how to apply these development practices in our setting. I was also able to share and stimulate ideas worldwide by interacting with other participants,” Alajar said.

She said it was only Davao City which was given the chance to participate in the all-expense paid event of Beyond Access funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundatio.

Among other selected countries were Bhutan, Uganda, Kyrgyztan, Zambia, Nepal, Serbia, Venezuela, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Brazil and Peru.

“Beyond Access is working to show funders and governments that libraries are a valuable development partner,” said Ari Katz, director of International Research Exchange (IREX), the partner of Gates Foundation.

Katz, who was guest in a press briefing here recently, said it was really their purpose to make public libraries more accessible to a lot of people and they are here to finalize ways on how they can fund priority projects.

He said their group provides leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media and foster pluralistic civil society development.

Katz said IREX receives funding from both private and public donors, including the US Department of State, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Angelo Ramos, president of the Philippine-Community Network (Phil-CNet), whose group is also a partner in implementing the project, said one of their chosen priorities are economic opportunities, specifically access information to look for jobs, skills trainings, and business start-ups.

Ramos said this would really be a big help especially to people who don’t have any Internet access to look for job opportunities.

Mindanao Communicators’ meet in Davao City

By Rudolf Ian G. Alama (PIA/RG Alama/FMGM)

DAVAO CITY Nov. 28 (PIA)- Public information and communication officers from all over Mindanao gathered in Davao for the 2012 Mindanao Communicators’ Congress and Workshop which started yesterday (Nov 28) until tomorrow (Nov 30).

The congress and workshop held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao welcomed the presence of more than 150 delegates during the opening ceremony held last November 28, which was graced by Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) who delivered the keynote speech.

During his speech Coloma reiterated Mindanao’s bright opportunities amidst rosy economic prospects of the country which has grown an unprecedented 7.1% for the third quarter of this year.

Coloma said that the President’s efforts in achieving peace in the island is a continuation of a legacy started by his parents the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino which jumpstarted the peace talks in 1986 with the secessionists rebels.

Senator Gregorio Honasan also attended the November 29 morning session where he discussed the updates of the Freedom of Information (FOI)/Public Ownership of Government Information (POGI) bills and moves on the institutionalization of government information officers.

The congress carries the theme “Communicating Mindanao’s Opportunities and Best Practices” and is graced by speakers which expound on other various topics like responsible mining, the peace process, banana industry, Mindanao’s research and policy agenda and the convergence program of Davao del Norte.

Noted speakers include Sec. Teresita Deles, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Stephen Antig, executive-director of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, Janet Lopoz of the Mindanao Development Authority and Dr. Rolando Doria, chairperson of the Responsible Mining in Mindanao Council.

The event is one of the major activities of the Mindanao Communicators’ Network in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency and the PCOO.

The MindaComNet is an organization composed of government public information and relations officers coming from national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCCs), government financial institutions (GFIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao.

DA-Davao to award winning schools for 'Gulayan' program

(PNA), PDS/JESSIE L. CASALDA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 28 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Davao Region will award the most outstanding public schools in carrying out the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” program.

Melanie Provido, chief of DA's high-value crop division, said on Wednesday the awarding will be held at the Pinnacle Hotel here on December 7.

"The awardees are schools that showed outstanding performance in implementing the program," she said.

However, Provido refused to disclose the nominees this year as the results will remain confidential pending the final announcement of the judges.

She said the program was started in 2007 after then-education secretary Jesli Lapus issued a memorandum encouraging all public schools to plant agricultural crops within their area as one way of addressing the problem with hunger and malnutrition. It also aims to encourage public schools to utilize vacant areas in their schools for planting of various crops.

It also wishes to raise the public's awareness on the nutritional value of vegetables to a child’s development and learning process. As counterpart to the project, DA will provide each school with vegetable seedlings for the program implementation. Schools were tasked to plant vegetables in vacant lots to have an alternative source of food for the school's feeding program.

The program also encourages the active participation of children, teachers, as well as parents to join in the government's drive to address the country's problem with malnutrition.

Davao City Hall declared as a historical site

By Joey Sem G. Dalumpines (RGA/JSD/FMGM PIA XI)

DAVAO CITY, Nov 27 (PIA) -- Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Ludivico Badoy, chair of the National Historical Commission unveiled formally today the marker declaring the city hall of Davao as historical site.

The simple rite in front of the city hall building was witnessed by department heads of the city government, local legislators, regional directors of line-government-agencies and members of the diplomatic corps.

The local government building was built as a municipal hall by the American government in 1926 eleven years before the place was declared as a chartered city by then President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937.

Duterte-Carpio thanked the NHC for affirming the city hall as a historical site.

She said the city government takes as part of its sworn duty to preserve the city hall building which shelters the governance for a long time.

“The building embodies not only the local governance but all that represent Davao City,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She said declaring the city hall as a historical site inspires its officials and government workers to work harder to serve the people. Badoy disclosed that the NHC is willing to provide technical expertise to preserve the building and to renovate it to its original make up.

He said the building has been a silent witness to all government processes which government functionaries pursued throughout the years. Badoy said the city hall is the latest infrastructure in the country declared as a historical site.

“We are grateful that the local government is able to preserve the building unlike in other areas where government structures are outmoded by modernization,” he said.

Badoy said that the conferment is timely with the 75th year founding anniversary of the city this year.

He said the historic marker will serve as a sign and inspiration that once in the lives of Davaoenos, the city hall has been part of olden times.

Badoy said the city hall depicts the design of the American architecture in 1926.

“We hope that the people of Davao will continue to preserve the integrity of the building not only for the present, but also for the future generation,” he said.

Duterte-Carpio and Badoy formally signed the contract of conferment and was witnessed by Atty. Zuleika Lopez, acting city administrator and Carminda Arevalo, executive director of the NHC.

Housing project for differently-abled persons draws big support

By Joey Sem G. Dalumpines (RGA/JSD/PIA XI)

DAVAO CITY, Nov 26 (PIA)-Differently-abled persons expressed excitement for a new home and workplace after the start of the housing project construction at the relocation site in Barangay Los Amigos.

Debra Estraba, president of the Samahan ng mga Kapansanan sa Dabaw said the long wait is over for different-abled persons to have a permanent place to live.

She said the oldest among them has stayed in Our Lady of Victory Training Center, a private facility for persons with disabilities for 27 years while the youngest hanged on for about seven years.

“It is good that we have now a new place to stay so that other persons with disabilities who want to learn from the center on livelihood opportunities fitted for our condition. It is enough encouragement for persons with disabilities in the city that despite our condition, there are institutions that provide assistance in order for us to help ourselves,” Estreba said.

She urged other persons with disabilities to come out in the open and learn relevant livelihood activities for them to earn a living despite their handicap.

Estreba said that the training center where they are currently staying teaches them woodcraft, handicraft, baking, making of artificial legs, and even Olympic Games for the differently-abled persons.

“When we move out of the center, other differently-abled persons can take our place, while we go on with our lives in our new home, where we continue our actual livelihood activities to earn for our keep,” she said.

Angelico Santander, Jr., chair of Barangay Los Amigos welcomed the volunteer builders from various corporations, academe, organizations and the local government during the Day One of the construction Saturday.

He also met his new constituents, the members of the Sakadab who will be living in his barangay for good.

“This activity shows that as long as we help one another, we can give hope and inspire others to work hard,” Santander said. He assured the new residents that his barangay Los Amigos lives up to its name as a friendly, peaceful and a nice place to stay.

Rene Rieta, area coordinator of Gawad-Kalinga-Southeastern Mindanao lauded and called all volunteer builders as heroes for showing up and assisted the building of a new home for the persons with disabilities.

He said taking into account the building of the Banaue rice terraces, Filipino ancestors imparted the value of working together or bayanihan in order for others to survive.

“We build a house so that our differently-abled brothers and sisters will have a place to stay. In this manner, we also help build a community,” Rieta said.

Oscar Hilado, chair of the Our Lady of Victory Training Center said the new dwelling for the persons with disabilities offers a new dimension in life where they realize more their dignity as persons.

He called the project a bold step for its occupants to be on their own beyond the training center and live in independence.

“It is a pilot project for physically challenged persons and offers challenges and opportunities for them to earn from the training they received from the center,” Hilado said.

Art Milan, Senior Vice President of the Davao Light and Power Company spoke well of the 600 volunteers who started the construction of three dormitories and three duplexes for persons with disabilities.

He said the project dubbed as “Bayani Build,” might end up on November 30.

Milan said in January, 2013, a productivity center will be built near the dwelling, composed of a bakery and wood working area, the skills persons with diabilities acquired from the training center.

GWP’s statement on the Int’l day for the elimination of violence against women

(Edge Davao/ News Release)

Amid worsening poverty and militarization of communities, violence against women cases in the Davao Region soar – Gabriela Women’s Party Southern Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — Women’s group Gabriela Women’s Party in Southern Mindanao said that cases of violence against women in the region are on the rise as poverty and intensified militarization of communities remain.

“The statistics indicate that violence against women not only persists until today, it is on the rise. This is because the social problems that cause VAW and all forms of gender violence have not been addressed,” explained Mary Ann Sapar, Spokesperson for GWP Southern Mindanao.

Southern Mindanao has the most number of reported cases of domestic violence in the entire country, claiming 34% of total national VAW incidence. Based on findings of Davao City-based Women Studies and Resource Center (WSRC), since the 2004 passage of the Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, VAWC cases reported have been on the rise, from only 184 cases in 2004 to 1,450 in 2011. “In 2012, there are 1,391 cases reported covering the months January to October. This translates to 139 cases per month, 5 cases per day, or 1 case of domestic violence reported every 5 hours.”

Aside from domestic violence which is the most prevalent form of abuse reported, rape and sexual harassment cases continue. There is an average of 2-3 rape cases a day reported anywhere in the country for the year 2011.

Poverty makes women prone to violence

For Reference: Mary Ann Sapar Spokesperson Gabriela Women’s Party Southern Mindanao Mobile No.: 0946-189-3168 The group believes that the surge in VAW cases reflect the still unchanged feudal and patriarchal system which promotes the mentality that women are objects or property of men and that they occupy a lower tier in society. Moreover, the worsening economic crisis is considered to drive the increasing incidence in VAW cases.

“VAW hurts women of all social classes but it is the poor women who are most vulnerable to violence. Due to poverty, poor women are also less likely to leave abusive relationships because of fear that they will not be able to feed their families,” Sapar added.

“As the unemployment rate escalates and contractualization forces many women off the employment ladder, household budgets are drained and women are driven by poverty to make ends meet. They fall victim to unscrupulous pimps, sex traffickers, and illegal recruiters. Many women are forced into prostitution because of economic need,” Sapar explained.

There are around 4,000 women and children in prostitution in Davao City, 54 cases of sex trafficking recorded from January to September, of which nearly all were minors, 13 to 17 years of age.

Militarization adds to gender violence

The women’s group also called to task the military for refusing to pull out troops in population centers in the region, saying that militarization exacerbates human rights violations experienced in these areas. The group considers militarization and state violence one of the “seven deadly sins against women.”

“Aside from having the most number of reported VAWC cases in the country, Southern Mindanao is also the most militarized region, with 3 divisions and 21 military battalions. We have been adamant about telling the military to leave Paquibato and other civilian communities because most importantly, it is a violation of international humanitarian law, and secondly, it makes women and children prone to abuses like rape, sexual abuse, harassment by the military, and extrajudicial killing” Sapar added.

Through the Aquino administration’s Oplan Bayanihan counter-insurgency program, women in the region are put at-risk for gender violence and human rights violations. Cases documented by Gabriela include the rape of a minor (16 yrs) by one Capt. Danilo Lalin in Mankayan, Benguet, gang rape of a 17 year-old girl by 3 members of the 16th IB in Rizal identified as OFC Alexander O. Barzaga, PFC Ronnie Q. Castro and PVT Rocky H. Domingo, and the rape of a 13 year-old girl by her CAFGU uncle. Since 2001, 35 of the victims of extrajudicial killings in the country were women.

Oplan Bayanihan in Southern Mindanao has given the military license to threaten women and children as a counterinsurgency and counterintelligence strategy. Wives and children of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels have been subjected to military harassment in Paquibato in order to coerce them into providing information about their relatives’ whereabouts and activities. One wife, only three days out of labor, suffered massive bleeding after being interrogated and toted with long firearms by the military inside their hut.

“The longer the military stays in our communities, the more susceptible our women and children are to violence. We reiterate our call for the soldiers to remove themselves from our communities,” insisted Sapar.

“Violence against women remains a social reality that demands our outrage and action. 1 in 3 women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. Until now, violence against women remains a matter of life and death.VAW must be eliminated because women cannot wait,” Sapar concluded.

Gabriela Women’s Party will be launching “Hayhayan sa Kababayen-an Batuk sa Kapintas ug Kalisud” on Monday, November 26, 2012, 12noon at Freedom Park Davao City in commemoration of November 25 IDEVAW. They will be hanging old shirts with signs to symbolize their struggle against “dirty laundry” composed of “seven deadly sins against women”. The “hayhayan” will reiterate that violence against women is a public crime and should be spoken out against instead of being kept private. The group will march afterwards to Rizal Park where they will join other women’s groups in a collective launch of the 18 Days Campaign to End Violence Against Women in Davao City

For Reference: Mary Ann Sapar Spokesperson Gabriela Women’s Party Southern Mindanao Mobile No.: 0946-189-3168

City, partners to put up shelter facility for PWDs

By Jereco O. Paloma

THE City Government of Davao and private partners are set to construct shelters for persons with disability (PWDs) in a city-owned relocation site in Los Amigos in Tugbok District.

Vic Sumalinog, vice president for community relations of the Davao Light and Power Company, told reporters in Friday's Kapehan sa PIA at the Abreeza Mall that the project aims to provide decent shelter to PWDs who have no capacity of acquiring their own houses.

Davao Light is one of the partners of the Davao City Government in the project, along with Holcim, Coca-Cola, and Gawad Kalinga.

The project initially aims to target at least 33 beneficiaries comprising of family and individuals.

Part of the project, according to Sumalinog, covers the construction of two dormitories and three duplexes. Each dormitory can house up to 15 individuals, while the duplex can accommodate two families.

"This is one way of providing a decent life to all the constituents of Davao in coordination with various private companies, we, at the private sector will be very supportive with this initiative," Sumalinog said.

He said it was the City Social Services Social and Development Office (CSSDO) that identified the beneficiary of the housing project.

The counterpart of the city in the project is the allocation of the portion of the city's relocation site at Los Amigos.

Today, volunteers are expected to participate in the "Bayanihan" system of building the shelter.

Data from the CSSDO showed there are roughly 3,000 registered PWDs across Davao City.

Davao City starts 18-Day Anti-VAWC Campaign on Nov. 26

By Carina L Cayon (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 23 (PIA) – Women leaders and advocates here will once again come together to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women in the 18-Day Anti-VAWC Campaign set to be launched on November 26 in the city.

The City Government of Davao through the Integrated Gender and Development Division, in partnership with various stakeholders will hold a Launching Program on Monday at 2:00 pm onwards at the Rizal Park Ground, San Pedro Street, this city.

IGDD Officer-in-Charge Lorna Mandin said the 16 days of activism against gender violence is being observed globally from November 25 to December 10.

However, Mandin said that through Presidential Proclamation 1172 in 2006, the Philippine campaign was extended to 18 days, to include December 12 which is known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Day.

The campaign covers awareness-raising about gender-based violence, strengthening local work and establishing a clear link between local and international work to end VAW, among other undertakings.

This year’s campaign will be anchored on the national call against gender-based violence during disasters and armed conflict situations, Mandin stated.

The city government’s observance of the campaign embraces a local theme, stating in the vernacular “Malingkawasnong Katilingban alang sa Kababayen-an Panahon sa Kalinaw, Kagubot ug Katalagman” (“Violence Against Women (VAW)-free Davao City in Times of Peace, Conflict and Calamity”).

Mandin urged government agencies, non-government organizations and civil society organizations to take part in this city-wide gathering by attending and/or sending delegations.

Expected to grace the launching activity are Mayor Sara Duterte, Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations Chair and City Councilor Leah Librado-Yap and Development of People’s Foundation project coordinator Lyda Canson.

Biotech Summit in Davao City

by Jeanevive Duron-Abangan (RGA/JMDA/FMGM PIA XI/)

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA): Farmers from settlers, indigenous peoples and Muslim communities will join agriculture scientists, farming technicians and farmer leaders in today’s (Nov. 22) Farmers’ Summit on Biotechnology held here in Davao City.

Bearing the theme, “Harnessing the Power of Life”, the summit is organized by Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Biotechnology for Life Media and Advocacy Resource Center and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XI in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Implementing Unit.

Highlighting the summit is the keynote address of Dr. Candida B. Adalla, Department of Agriculture director for Biotechnology Program Implementing Unit, she will tackle the importance of biotechnology to agriculture production.

One of the topics to be discussed is the Functional Regulatory System to Ensure Safety of Biotechnology Intended for Commercialization by Thelma Soriano, senior agriculturist and head of Biotechnology Core Team Secretariat of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture (BPI-DA).

Other topics up for discussion are on Enhancing Natural Ingredients through Biotechnology by Dr. Rainier Villanueva of the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines, Inc.; Empowering Farmers through Modern Agriculture Technologies by Edwin Paraluman, chairperson of the Philippine Farmers’ Advisory Board of the National Food Authority.

Godfrey Ramon of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines and Joel Paredes of the Biotechnology for Life Media and Advocacy Center will be explaining the milestones that their respective organizations have achieved in advancing public understanding and adoption of biotechnology.

More tourist arrivals eyed in this year’s Davao Pasko Fiesta

(PNA), LDV/ASA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 21 (PNA) -- Organizers of this year’s Davao Pasko Fiesta celebration are expecting an increase of tourist arrivals with its added new attraction, the Pasko Fiesta Light Show Display.

“We are expecting that this attracts not just only locals but also tourists,” said Orly Escarilla, festival director and spokesperson of Pasko Fiesta.

Escarilla said the light show display at the People’s Park will run from December 21, 2012 to January 1, 2013.

A fusion of Christmas music and lights, the event is a six-minute show to be played every hour, nightly or about three-four times a night where children and adults will be thrilled to the symphony of traditional Christmas music and lighted parols.

Aside from the light show, the recycling-inspired Christmas tree is another treat for spectators at People’s Park.

Standing at 30 feet tall, the Christmas tree is made up of recycled bottles, and boasts a unique design that reflects beams of light, creating an eye-catching display that raises the awareness and possibilities of recycling.

Escarilla presented a data showing that since 2009 to 2012, there was a consistency of visiting tourists during Christmas season that reached close to 60,000 per year.

He said Pasko Fiesta is only among the four major quarterly celebrations of the city that become now known worldwide.

“We have the Araw ng Dabaw in the first quarter (March), Summer Festival in the second (May), Kadayawan Festival in the third (August) and Pasko Fiesta in the fourth (December),” he said.

Other events for the Pasko Fiesta are Kahayag sa Pasko Competition, Parol ug Paskong Kahoy Design Competition, Hudyakaan sa Kapaskuhan (Food Street Festival, Roldalsaya performances (Rondalla Groups competitions), Panaygon (Christmas carolling competition), Tugsayaw (Christmas-themed competition), Lamdag Parada (Christmas-themed parade competition), Rondalsaya Caravan, and New Year Midnight Run.


ADB to fund study for Davao City’s BRT project

(PNA), FFC/JGMM/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 20 (PNA) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is investing US$ 1 million for a technical study on the city’s bus rapid transit (BRT) project here.

BRT is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line.

City Planning and Development Office chief Roberto P. Alabado III said the study will commence by 1st quarter of 2013.

“By next year, we’re gonna have a technical assistance from ADB for a technical study on BRT,” he said.

Alabado said the ADB will bid out the project and will eventually identify among the bidders who is qualified to run the study which will last for three quarters.

Alabado said the study will assess the feasibility of installing a BRT system in the city.

“If BRT is feasible, all jeepney drivers, bus, and other transportation companies are incorporated,” he said, adding that even the e-tricycles (which are powered by electricity) will be part of the plan.

The establishment of a BRT system in the city, Alabado said, is aimed at making it at par with other modern cities like Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

DOH exec says BNS creating impact against malnutrition

(PNA), RMA/ANTHONY S. ALLADA/LDP/SSC

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 19 (PNA) -– The deployment of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) nationwide has created a major impact in curbing the country’s malnutrition problem, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.

DOH Assistant Secretary Maria-Bernadita Flores, concurrent executive director of the National Nutrition Council (NNC), said the community-based volunteers had led the way in the delivery of basic nutrition services, of health, home food production, nutrition education, and other interventions to families.

Flores, who was here to keynote the two-day 2nd National Conference of Barangay Nutrition Scholars at the Davao Trade and Convention Center recently, said the role of BNS also evolved from merely delivering basic nutrition to managing their barangay nutrition program.

“Their volunteerism is very laudable. They are not receiving any salary but their willingness to help address malnutrition in their respective barangay is a thing that should be commended,” Flores said at the sideline of the gathering.

In 1978, Presidential Decree 1569 was promulgated to strengthen the barangay nutrition program through the deployment of at least one BNS per barangay.

“To date, there are close to 38,000 BNSs deployed nationwide among the 42,000 barangays or about 90 percent barangay saturation,” said Jocelyn Lumaad, BNS national federation president.

Lumaad, who serves as BNS of Panacan Relocation in Davao City, said some barangays in areas of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had no BNS because of the peace and order problem.

“But with the signing of the framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front we are positive that we can already reach out to barangays without BNS,” she said.

PNP-Davao’s regional public safety battalion has new commander

(PNA), GHG/LOLITO T. DELOS REYES/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY — The 11th Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office has new commander from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

P/Supt. Dario Gunabe, former DCPO deputy for administration took over the post from Senior Supt. Florencio Ortilla, Police Executive Service Eligibility (PESE) who was assigned to the Regional Personnel and Human Resource Doctrine and Development (RPHRDD) in Camp Catitipan, the PNP regional headquarters here.

PNP regional director Chief Supt. Jaime Morente, CEO VI officiated the formal turn over of commands in a ceremonies held coinciding with the blessing of the newly renovated 11th RPSB headquarters offices recently.

“I congratulate the new battalion commander P/Supt. Gunabe and at the same time also welcome PSSupt. Ortilla as the new R1 in my staff,” Morente said.

Gunabe said he will try his best to duplicate (if not) surpass the excellent performance of Ortilla, who was able to get funds for the renovation of the 11th RPSB battalion headquarters offices.

Ortilla's two-year stint as battalion commander saw the 11th RPSB's PCR successful conduct of different activities through IMPLAN (Implementing Plan) Nakahiusa and Magtinabangay.

The 11th RPSB also "displayed an exemplary kind of heroism and played a significant role" on the search, rescue, relief and retrieval operation during the flash flood that devastated Davao City and other towns in the province.

The 11th RPSB was also recognized for having demonstrated exemplary performance during the PNP-Internal Affairs Service Operational Readiness, Security Inspection Test and Evaluation for CY 2011.

The competence demonstrated by the personnel of Ortilla in performing the series of activities during the Police Regional Office’s Annual General Inspection on Operational Readiness, Security, Inspection, Test and Evaluation (AGI-ORSITE) here garnered the highest score of 96.74 percent and was adjudged as the No. 1 among the 17 PRO's nationwide.

The company's IAS unit conducted and maintained two combat operations per company per month.

"I only wish for one thing that all the good that we have done here will be strengthen and continued," said Ortilla.

On the other hand, Ortilla thanked his superiors including his regional director for believing in and sustaining all his endeavors and giving encouragement and help.

24 Davao journalists nominated in 2012 Globe Telecom Davao Media Excellence Awards

(PNA), LAM/RMBALANZA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY — A total of 24 Davao journalists were nominated in 2012 Globe Telecom Davao Media Excellence Awards.

The first Davao Media Excellence Awards will be presented on Nov. 23 at a special ceremony in the Royal Mandaya Hotel here for the 24 journalists, from print and broadcast media vying for different awards that will honor their outstanding works.

Roger M. Balanza, publisher of the Davao City-based weekly THE DURIAN POST and the online news portal durianburgdavao mindanao newsblog (http://durianpost.wordpress.com) bagged three nominations in the 2012 Globe Telecom Davao Media Excellence Awards.Balanza, who is also writes for PNA Davao as stringer, is among four nominees in the Reporter of the Year Business & Entrepreneurship category and Columnist of the Year category.

Balanza, who publishes the durianburgdavao mindanao newsblog, along with two other bloggers, is also nominated as Blogger of the Year.

For print, the finalists for the different categories are Reporter of the Year Business & Entrepreneurship category – Virginia Arcilla-Agtay and Antonio Colina IV of SunStar Davao, Kristianne Marie Fusilero of Mindanao Times and Roger Montano Balanza of Durian Post; Reporter of the Year Environment and Disaster Response and Reporter of the Year Governance & Social Progress categories – Kristianne Marie Fusilero of Mindanao Times; Reporter of the Year Information and Communications Technology category – Antonio Colina IV of SunStar Davao and Jesse Pizarro Boga of Mindanao Times; and Reporter of the Year Youth and Education category – Ivy Tejano of SunStar Davao.

Feature Story of the Year -- Print finalists are ‘Reviving the Coconut Industry (2 parts)’ by Henrylito Tacio of Philippine Graphic; ‘Child Labor is Still a Sad Reality’ by Stella Estremera of SunStar Davao; ‘Science vs Law – Battle Over the Dumoy Water Resources Part 1’ by Ricardo Jimenez Jr. of Edge Davao; ‘Tree Farming Laughs All the Way to the Bank’ by Aurelio Pena of Edge Davao and PNA Davao stringer; and “Back to the Dark Age?’ by Virginia Arcilla-Agtay of SunStar Davao.

Rene Espeleta Bartolo and Joan Mae Soco of Mindanao Times, Radzini Olden of SunStar Davao, Aurelio Pena of Edge Davao, and Roger Balanza of Durian Post are all in the running for the Columnist of the Year category.

For radio, Admar Vilando of DXRD Sonshine Radio Davao is the lone nominee for the Reporter of the Year category.

For television, Viafel Araneta of ABS-CBN Davao is the solo finalist for Reporter of the Year while John Paul Senel’s three stories namely, ‘Gisukod na ang Teytuyan’, ‘Classroom sa Utlanan’, and ‘Pantukan’ are the finalists for The Feature Story of the Year. Nominees for Broadcaster of the Year category include John Paul Seniel of GMA Davao and Randolph Canedo of ABS-CBN Davao.

The Media Awards will also give away a special Blogger of the Year award for local-based bloggers. The finalists in this category are Jeffrey Tupas of jeftupas.com, Jon Joaquin of jonalism.com, and Roger Montano Balanza of durianpost.com.

The auditing firm of the Davao Media Awards, Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A) validated the list of finalists.

The awardees on the other hand will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges led by Ms. Ma. Margarita "Margie" Moran Floirendo, chairperson of the Mindanao Commission on Women.

ICon 2012 to gather more foreign firms

By Jereco O. Paloma

AFTER the success of the first Investment Conference (ICon) organized by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) last year, this year's event is expected to gather more participating companies after almost 50 foreign companies confirmed attendance to the two day event, starting today at SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier.

Sebastian Angliongto, of DCCCII, on Monday told reporters that ICon will become "a very good venue" for the promotion of Davao City and for local businessmen to promote and market their local products to foreign delegates.

This year's ICon will focus on the four priority areas of investments -- connectivity, tourism, property and real estate development, as well as information, communication and technology (ICT).

"In business, you cannot do it alone. You need to meet other businessmen in occasions like this where you can also gain new insights and ideas to better improve your business," Angliongto said.

European and American firms have already confirmed their attendance for the ICon. This is on top of the Asian companies that are also set to attend the conference.

Among the salient fruits of the first Icon included the successful passage of private public partnership ordinance of Davao City, which is first of its kind across the country; the opening of the Clark-Davao route with the signed Sister Airport Agreement; and the launching of a new sea transportation to support the city's growing tourism industry.

Angliongto said among the main points that will be emphasized during the conference is on the city's connectivity to neighboring countries in Asia.

Angliongto said best-quality and unique products are useless without an effective and systematic linkages and system of connectivity in transporting those products from one point to another.

At least 500 delegates are expected to attend the two-day conference. Apart from the international delegates, this year's ICon will also be attended by 43 Mindanao-based chambers of commerce, and the members of the Confederation of Governors League of the Philippines.

Aside from the main conference, the ICon 2012 will also showcase of local products from Mindanao especially from Davao Region. Foreign companies that are interested to display their local produce are also welcome.

Davao Icon golfest opens today

By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan

SOME 200 golfers are expected to see action in the Davao Icon Golf Tournament that opens today at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.

Shotgun tee-off is set at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Tournament coordinator Carlos Vargas, who was a guest at the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn on Tuesday, said members and officers of foreign chambers and representatives of the BIMP-Eaga are seeing action with other businessmen from other parts of the country.

"This tournament, which is a project of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (DCCCI), is a prelude of the Davao Investment Conference 2012. This golf activity will spice things up before the conference starts," Vargas said.

He said that they organized the tournament to promote Davao City not just as an investment haven but also as a sports tourism destination.

The two-member modified Stableford format competition offers a Honda Dream motorcycle, a 32-inch LED television and a T14 strike rifle in all par 3 holes. Participants will also have the chance to win any of the 50 handsome raffle prizes at stake during the awarding rites.

Vargas added that Philsaga Mining chief Samuel Afdal will be the first recipient of the 1st Icon for Golf Award.

Real estate boom in city to continue

By Jereco O. Paloma

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao City expressed confidence that the city's flourishing real estate industry will continue to prosper in the coming years.

Teolulo Pasawa, DTI-Davao chief said at the rate that the city's real estate industry is taking-off; it appeared that there are still lots of opportunities and bigger project that are yet to arrive in Davao City.

“I am expecting more real estate development projects especially high-rise projects. As you can see, there are only few high-rise developments that have been put up in Davao City so far,” Pasawa said.

Records from the City Building Office (CBO) showed that for the entire 2011, a total of 4,139 building permits have been issued. As of May this year, CBO recorded a total of 2,716 building permit issuances.

Pasawa said the number of building permit issuances for the past year and months suggests that investors in the real estate industry are bullish on the vibrant potentials of Davao when it comes to real estate developments.

"As you can see here in Davao City, construction works are being done everywhere and you can expect this view for the coming years," Pasawa said.

Pasawa said coming of new investors in Davao City only shows that there are still lots of opportunities and untapped markets in the real estate development.

He said with the tight competition among developers, Dabawenyos can expect better innovations in the industry.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Anglionto, of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (DCCCII) said real estate developers and investors must invest in all aspects and facets of the industry.

For Angliongto, investors must not only focus on high-end projects that target class A or B clients but also low-cost housing projects as this is important in a holistic development of a city.

Angliongto said masses are important especially to businessmen since they provide manpower to all companies. A decent housing project, they provide manpower to all companies.

Decent housing projects that fit the budget of ordinary Dabawenyo must also be one of the considerations.

Over 1,000 vacancies offered in jobs fair in Davao City

(PNA), PDS/ANTHONY S. ALLADA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 13 (PNA) -- Over 1,000 local and overseas job vacancies will be offered during the first fair to be organized by one of the pioneering online job portals in the county on Nov. 22 at the Abreeza-Ayala Mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada this city.

Hazel Grace V. Juson, assistant sales manager of Jobstreet.com Philippines Inc., an online job portal, said the one-day jobs fair will be staged in coordination with the regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) here.

The fair will feature white-collar jobs or those in the corporate sector.

Juson said at least 60 companies like banks, hospitals, schools, among others are set to participate.

She said interested applicants must be ready with all the required documents and credentials to avoid delays and application failure.

"It is important that applicants must know the job they are applying for," Juson said.

Documents like school credentials, most recent photos and other pertinent documents must be readily available during the interview for higher chances of being hired, she added.

Dad urges orderly visit of IPs this Christmas

By Joey Sem G. Dalumpines (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines/RGA/FMGM)

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA)- A city councilor urged members of the indigenous peoples not to come to the city in droves so that they can be accommodated properly by well-wishers and the local government.

Councilor Berino Mambo-o, head of the city committee on the indigenous peoples suggested that children and pregnant women must be left behind in their respective communities so that someone can watch over their dwelling.

He said that in the past, those who all together left their dwelling in the countryside to ask for gifts and merrymaking in the city found their houses razed or destroyed by the elements when they returned home.

“Coming to the city in droves brings more problems than merry-making. The children and pregnant suffer the rigors of living even if temporary shelters are provided to them by the local government,” Mambo-o said.

The city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) set temporary shelters in the barangays of Toril, Tugbok, Matina, Bunawan, Bangkerohan and Buhangin to accomodate the indigenous peoples who come for Christmas.

He said he had been consulting with the IPs in Marilog and Paquibato on the proposal for them to just wait for the gifts to be sent to them by the city residents.

Mambo-o revealed that initially he planned with the City Social Welfare and Development Office to schedule the delivery of Christmas gifts on three occasions in December.

“Ideally, it is good for them to wait for the gifts, but we cannot also hinder them to come down to the city for Christmas,” he said. Mambo-o also appealed to the residents to be compassionate to share their blessings to the Ips who will visit their residence during the Christmas season.

SEC-Davao registers 540 new firms in 8 months

(PNA), PDS/ANTHONY S. ALLADA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 11 (PNA) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC)-Davao Extension Office has registered 540 new corporations during the first eight months of this year.

SEC-Davao regional director Lawyer Javey Paul D. Francisco also said about 70 percent of the newly-registered corporations are based in Davao City.

As of August this year, he said the commission also registered 89 new business partnerships and 616 non-stock groups.

Francisco said the total capital of those new corporations invested reached to P3.2 billion.

The data show there are now more corporations that applied before the commission compared with the same period last year with 476 firms, he said.

Francisco said majority of the newly-registered corporations are into wholesale and retail trade business, mostly family-owned corporations.

He explained the commission also monitors the existing corporations, business partnerships and non-stock groups.

“In Davao Region alone, there are about 30,000 active corporations that are registered before the commission. Of the total number, SEC already revoked the registration of about 1,000 corporations for failing to comply with the requirements set by commission based on its monitoring from 2002 to 2010,” he said.

Meanwhile, SEC-Davao Extension Office will soon relocate to a two-level building along its 1,000 square-meter lot at Juna Subdivision, Matina, this city. The office is seen to be constructed early next year with a proposed budget of P30 million.

Francisco said the commission is also upgrading its computerization system.

SEC-Davao is catering to stock and non-stock applicants from Regions 11 and 12, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Surigao del Sur.


Swimmer leads Davao

(MST Sports)

Dapitan City — Eleven-year-old swimmer Haruka Jade Shimizu scored two victories to power Davao City to a seven-gold haul in swimming, even as Zamboanga City churned six of its own on the pool and more elsewhere Friday in the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission Batang Pinoy 2012 Mindanao leg here yesterday.

The regional heayweights in swimming didn’t waste time in declaring their intention, but it was Shimizu who made the biggest splash after she ruled the girls’ 11-12 400-meter freestyle and 100m free to become the first double-gold winner in the event.

Glenn Adrian Arsula, 12, later duplicated her feat when he bagged the top prize in boys’ 11-12 200m backtsroke before leading Zamboanga City to the boys’ 15-under 200m medley relay championship.

Davao City also gained on golden efforts by Dave Jone Andebor in boys’ 11-12 400m free, Dara Clariza Evangelista in girls’ 13-15 400m free, Rylle Coleen Regidor in girls’ 13-15 200m back, Josiah Paul Lozano in boys’ 11-12 100m free, and John Angelo Zuniga in boys 13-15 200m butterfly.

BIMP-EAGA SMED cluster meeting in Davao City a success

(PNA), LAM/JGMMENDOZA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 9 (PNA) -- The recent two-day meeting of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Cluster leaders at the Marco Polo Hotel here was a success.

BIMP-EAGA SMED Cluster Chair Nazrullah B. Manzur said strategic plans for the development of the SMEs were discussed including trade facilitation and cost of doing business in the sub-region.

Manzur, also the Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI 9) in Region 9, said the meeting was attended by 25 representatives from the four member-countries.

It was agreed that the BIMP-Facilitation Center (BIMP-FC) must be provided with information relevant to doing business like cost of labor and utilities, available infrastructure facilities, and available land area for production and the incentives given to investors.

BIMP-FC head Susanna Chew said a compilation of these information and details must be maintained.

“The BIMP-FC must have a compilation of the incentives given by each of the member-countries to the investors to intensify information dissemination to the public. As of now, we don’t have this,” she said.

The project shall be implemented by 2013.

Manzur said starting next year, the SMED Cluster will be renamed Trade and Investment Facilitation Cluster which will be under the strategic pillar of enhancing connectivity within BIMP-EAGA as well as with other regions.

Manzur added the cluster’s chairmanship will be transferred to Indonesia by then.

The Implementation Blueprint of the cluster will be released anytime once it’s finalized, incorporating the comments and recommendations discussed during the meeting here, he said.

The document spells out the detailed plans of the cluster on trade and investment facilitation, he added.

International cocoa convention slated in Davao

By Rudolf Ian G. Alama (PIA/RG Alama/FMGM)

DAVAO CITY Nov. 8 (PIA)- The first international convention to gather stakeholders in the cocoa industry dubbed as Kakao Konek will be held in Davao City this November 21 to 23.

With events to be held in Apo View Hotel and Abreeza Mall, it will be graced by about 300 to 400 delegates.

According to Wit Holganza, event organizer, the convention will revolve around five major activities; the cacao conference, cacao farm tours, Kacao Kulinarya, buyers-sellers night and the Sikwatehan sa Barrio (networking night.)

Throughout the event, organizers will be holding B2B Matching Mini Event where buyers and sellers of cacao can meet in the two-day period. Dedicated locations for the B2B Matching will be provided along with facilitators which will enable the different industry stakeholders to interact.

Another main event is the Kakao Kulinarya which will feature culinary students and chefs take on their interpretations of different cocoa-based cuisine, the culinary event will be held at the Abreeza Mall.

According to Toto Muyco, Deputy Director of Kakao konek, the convention will position the cacao of Davao and Mindanao as to what it will be in the international market. He said that based on international buyers particularly chefs and chocolatiers the flavors of cocoa beans from Davao are of excellent quality.

He said that the country produces only about 8,000 to 10,000 metric tons of cacao about 600 tons of which are exported to the world market. Muyco said the world demand for cacao is growing at 90,000 metric tons per year.

The convention also aims to show cacao growers that the market is there particularly when the international market has shown growing interest in buying Davao’s cacao.

Fareast invests P133M for construction of 2 malls

By Antonio L. Colina IV

FAREAST Noble House Inc., a subsidiary of Gaisano Group of Companies, has invested some P133.068 million for the construction of two two-storey malls in the outskirts of Davao City.

The City Building Office (CBO) said the company infused a total of P80.987 million for the first infrastructure along Saavedra St. in Toril District, which sits in a 20,000-square-meter lot.

Data from CBO showed that the building permit was released two years ago.

Another two-storey mall will soon rise right in Tibungco and will sit in an area of 15,188 square meters. Some P52.081 million has been poured out for the second mall.

Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) chief Jason Magnaye earlier said they encourage new developments in these parts of the Davao, as the residents also have their own demands for basic commodities.

He said Dabawenyos can expect more constructions of residential and commercial buildings since Davao is at the pedestal of development even in few years time.

With a growing market outside of the urban area, developers must put up more infrastructure developments to attend to the demands of those individuals, according to Magnaye.

He said they promote developments of facilities that will aid the needs of the residents in terms of health and education. The two malls of Gaisano Grand Mall will attend to the shopping needs of the residents in Toril and Tibungco.

"That's going to be the focus to provide sources for emerging communities," Magnaye said.

Homegrown developer Felcris Hotels and Resorts Corporation has also infused some P839.967 million for its 15-storey Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Tower and a mall.

Felcris' investment is the highest incurred to the City Government of Davao for this year.

Emerging as the second highest investor is the Accendo Commercial Corporation, a fully-owned subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc., with its investment at P489.496 million for its 26-storey high-rise condominium Alveo along J.P Laurel Avenue in Bajada, Davao City.

IBM opens Davao City office

(PNA), PDS/JUDY G. QUIROS/LDP/RSM

DAVAO CITY, Nov.6 (PNA) -- IBM Philippines opened Tuesday its new branch in Davao City in view of the company’s growth and increasing demand for technology solutions and services outside Metro Manila.

The new Davao office located at the IT Building 3, Topaz Tower, Damosa IT Park, JP Laurel Avenue, Lanang here was inaugurated during a special ceremony attended by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, government officials, clients and business and community partners.

Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, president and country general manager of IBM Philippines, said the opening of the IBM Davao Office is in line with the geographical expansion strategy of the company and its commitment to align with the so-called “next wave” cities program being operated in the country for 75 years now.

“This expansion is testament to IBM's commitment to providing the best possible solutions and services to its clients in the Philippines,” she said.

She also said the new branch strengthens IBM’s operations in the Philippines which includes Sales and Distribution, Global Process Services/ Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Application Management Services, and an IBM Innovation Center.

Three Davaoenos win in Asia - Pacific World qualifying trials

(PNA), FPV/LTDR/LDP/EBP

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 5 (PNA) -- Three young fighters from Davao City won four gold and a silver medals in the ADCC Asia-Pacific World Qualifying Championships and ADCC Asia-Pacific Championships held at the SM Mall of Asia last November 3-4 in Manila.

Jonathan "Spartan" Sumogat of the Cenojas Mixed Martial Arts-Kamphuis Fabricio Davao bagged the gold medal in the men's 60 kilogram under category while the Lim twins, Mike and Marc, also ruled their respective divisions.

Mike pocketed two golds from juniors and men under 65 kgs. events while Marc got the gold in the juniors 70 kg. under and a silver in the men 70 kg. under.

"To God be the Glory!," said CMMA coaches Mars and Marco Cenojas after their team's impressive feat in the two-day event participated in by competitors from Japan, Korea, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Sumogat and the rest of the winners of the Male Advanced divisions will receive free accommodation and airfare to compete at the ADCC 2013 World Championships, according to organizer Stephen Khampis of ADCC Asia.

"The venue will be announced later. Baka daw sa US (United States)," said Mars Cenojas.

The Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) is the most prestigious grappling competition in the world which is finance by the Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Sumogat, also a mixed martial arts fighter with a clean record of three wins and no loss or draw will next see action in the URCC on December 1 in Manila.

Davao cop official uses awarded cash prize in building shelter for troubled youth

(PNA), RMA/ANTHONY S. ALLADA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 4 (PNA) -– Supt. Dionisio Abude, chief of Talomo police station, built a shelter for the troubled youth using the P100,000 cash prize he received as "Cobra Pinoy Hero Awardee" for 2012.

The shelter now stands tall at the back of the Talomo police station.

Abude said he maximized the amount to make decent beds, lockers, pails, laundry and personal materials and utensils for the more 30 in-house youths who were formerly involved in crimes but now turning into productive citizens.

His personal advocacy to slowly transform them was the very basis that he was given that very coveted award, disputing the negative stereotyping of all policemen.

He said aside from teaching them good values while under the police guardianship, they were also sent to school for free, taking up vocational and technical courses at the Emar Human and Environment College, formerly Emar Learning Center, accredited at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Abude said he must be resourceful enough to feed them with the help of non-government organizations and civil-society groups like the Soroptomist International.

He said they are also eyeing another partner group which could help them the medical assistance once the children get sick.

Aside from Abude, other two awardees were Mark “Rubberman” Cerezo of Marikina City and Leonilo Beltran of Baler, Aurora.

Organizers behind the Cobra Pinoy Hero Awards sifted through some 2,000 entries, narrowed it down to 9, and finally selected the top 3.

Cerezo learned to make sculptures out of trash and discarded rubber from shoemakers and it was the 2007 Christmas Festival of Marikina that served as the turning point of his career. Cerezo was chosen to conceptualize the theme and design robots for the Festival. That big break led him to a host of media features.

Beltran, a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) electrician from Saipan founded the Skills Caravan, where volunteers teach vocational skills to out-of-school youth and jobless adults. He started teaching electrical skills to inmates as a volunteer of the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.

That served as his springboard for the Skills Caravan. The Skills Caravan teaches plumbing and electrical skills, and soon, how to be a cook, barber and computer technician.

Tall order for City High spikers

By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan

WINNING back-to-back titles in the just-concluded Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Meet and Shakey's Girls Volleyball Mindanao Leg is no easy feat.

The Davao City National High School girl spikers, however, need not bask on their laurels since they will have yet to test their mettle in two nationals next year - the Shakey's national tournament of champions on Jan. 22 to 26 in Manila and in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa in Negros Oriental in April.

But before the Soledad Torino-coached squad books a Palaro berth, they will have to compete in the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet set in Tagum City early next year.

DCNHS trainer Manuel Ramirez, a former national junior team member, said they are poised to defend their Davraa title even if only eight of their team will be seeing action.

Newly-crowned Shakey's Girls Volleyball League Mindanao most valuable player (MVP) Glenda Gregg Agang will lead the cast that is also composed of Eden Faith Maturan, Lorijean Trinidad, Farla Amancio, Eunice Mabayao, Jarene Mae Salazar, Elsa Samanion and Rica Diolan.

Ateneo de Davao High School's Alliyah Maspinas, Nicole Frando, Gela Peña and Allysa Alterado will beef up Davao City's team to the Davraa Meet.

"We are really preparing for the Palaro not just the Davraa Meet. We can improve our quarter-final finish in the 2012 Palaro in Pangasinan if we are given at least a month to train," Ramirez said in a phone interview.

He revealed that after the regional qualifying, the athletes only have two weeks left for training before the national sportsfest for elementary and secondary athletes opens.

"We can't expect a champion team from a two-week training. It will be difficult to get players to jell since the Palaro-bound Davraa team will also be bannered by selected players from other teams. It won't be an entirely DCNHS team just like the city composition for the Davraa Meet," Ramirez explained.

He said reinforcements from other teams may not be able to adjust to his training routine. He trains the DCNHS volleybelles from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays and resumes on Saturdays from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday is the only rest day for the champion squad.

He said they also need taller players to better their chances in both Shakey's nationals and Palarong Pambansa. DCNHS salvaged the bronze in last year's Shakey's finals in Tacloban City.

Meanwhile, DCNHS spikers will play in the Women's National College Athletic Association set late this month as a tune-up for the Davraa Meet.

Ramirez, along with the entire DCNHS team, could only hope for the best in their battles ahead.

Davao authorities continue imposing tight security on All Souls’ Day

(PNA), LAP/JESSIE L. CASALDA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 2 (PNA) -- Elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force Davao (TFD) and the Highway Patrol Group here continue implementing tight security measures all over the region during the observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Chief Supt. Jaime H. Morente, chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO 11), personally checked around various areas in the Davao Region.

He also assured that his personnel will continue their efforts in providing security in their areas of responsibility.

DCPO chief Senior Superintendent Ronald M. dela Rosa said even though the first day of Undas was generally peaceful, security measures will remain tight to ensure public safety and order in the city.

He said police assistance desks have been placed in every cemetery to hear the concerns of people visiting their dearly departed.

So far, dela Rosa said he is thankful that there were no threats monitored in the city. Only minor incidents happened like pick pocketing, theft and robbery in some areas of the city.

He said their police visibility operations, foot and mobile patrols and random checkpoints in cooperation with the Task Force Davao and other government agencies in various areas of convergence are still ongoing.

Senior Superintendent Gregorio Pimentel, chief of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 11, said in line with the Undas, he already instructed his personnel to place road assistance centers in all entry points of Davao Region.

He said this is in line with the order of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, to set up road assistance centers and deploy route safety marshals in major thoroughfares and strategic areas near cemeteries and other public areas.

Colonel Marcos Norman Flores, commander of the Task Force Davao (TDF), said the authorities' security measures were indeed observed and implemented inside and outside the cemeteries, and this will continue as the public heads back to work and school after the long weekend.

City gov’t allots P23M to rehabilitate biggest public cemetery in Davao City

(PNA), FPV/AMA/LDP/PJN

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 1 (PNA) -- The city government here has allotted some P23 million for the rehabilitation of the Davao City Public Cemetery, also called Wireless, the oldest of the nine public cemeteries owned and operated by the city government’

Gerardo Antonio R. “Gary” Castillo, in-charge of operation of cemeteries of the Office of the City Economic Enterprises (OCEE), said the Wireless Public Cemetery will be completed and ready for use in January, or 75 days from today.

He said the city government has so far spent P5 million for the first phase of the rehabilitation. The second and third phases will be scheduled once the planning and bidding of the project will be done.

Castillo said at present, the re-opening of the bids for construction of the horizontal and vertical structures was set last October 28.

“The awarding of the project will be announced as soon as we have the winner of the bidding process,” he said.

Meanwhile, Castillo said the city has about 30 cemeteries, including private memorial parks.

Other public cemeteries are in Toril (Lubogan), Mintal,Tugbok, Calinan, Ma-a, Panacan, Tibungco and Bunawan. Some other public cemeteries like in Ulas and Talomo are operated by their barangay governments, he said.

Aside from the cemeteries for Christian residents, there are also cemeteries for Muslims. These are in Tibungco, Ma-a, Sirawan and Tigatto, some of which are operated by the barangay governments, Castillo said.

“Actually, based on our inventory in 2010, almost all the cemeteries were congested. The exception being the six-hectare Toril cemetery, where there are still three vacant blocks, and Ma-a, although the vacant lots have experienced flooding,” Castillo bared, adding that the congested ones were ordered closed by the city government, meaning new burials are no longer allowed.

As a result of the inventory, OCEE has recommended the rehabilitation of all public cemeteries.

“For the Wireless cemetery alone, the OCEE recommended a three-phase rehabilitation which costs about P23 million,” he said. However, the city council approved only an initial P5 million for the first phase.

Castillo said the first phase involves exhumation of bones in old graves in the area 20 meters from the front going to the left. After the bones are exhumed they will be placed in 1,952 ossuaries and 254 compartmentalized niches and tombs.

“We have exhumed the bones of 995 buried persons in the presence of their relatives and placed them in temporary storage,” Castillo said.

The bones exhumed are placed in black bags and marked in the presence of their relatives who must sign a lease contract for the bones of their loved ones to be interred in an ossuary whose annual rent has been pegged at P200.

Families whose dead are interred in mausoleums they have constructed inside a public cemetery no longer own the structures, Castillo emphasized,. The city government owns them.

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