Davao del Sur News

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Electric coops meet members, DOE today

DAVAO CITY- Electric cooperatives in Mindanao are meeting today with the Department of Energy and the Mindanao Development Authority to come up with an immediate workable solution on the problem of power in this side of the country.

A representative from the Department of Energy, members of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) and Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino will lay down issues and possible solutions that these sectors can apply with the ongoing power outages in Mindanao.

Some areas in Mindanao suffer up to 8 hours of blackout everyday and the electric cooperatives here fear this would worsen in summer when the demand for power is high affecting businesses and even households.

AMRECO members are asking the government to look into the situation of the two main sources of power in the region which are the Agus and the Pulangi hydroelectric plants. These plants reportedly are not operating in full capacity.

Also, the electric cooperatives are asking for the government not to limit them from sourcing power from barges as per the agreement with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Meanwhile, the government announced yesterday that the DOE will soon issue an order mandating electric cooperatives to contract and purchase the necessary capacities within their respective areas.

In a press release, Malacanang clarified that the government agency is ready to present solutions on this power problem after constant coordination and dialogue with the electric cooperatives and lawmakers in Mindanao.

PDEA XI joins school’s anti-drug sports fest

DAVAO CITY- Officials and personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the region joined the Sports Festival 2012 of Kill Droga Club (KDC) and Junior Citizens Crime Watch (JCCW) on Sunday (Mar. 11) at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina Campus, this city.

With this year’s theme: “Drug Free Society is a Means to Ends Poverty,” the annual sports fest aimed to foster camaraderie and cooperation with students and the different school organizations in the fight against illegal drugs.

The event was spearheaded by UM’s College of Criminal Justice Education.

PDEA regional director Emerson R. Rosales facilitated the ceremonial toss of the basketball game which was one of the events in the sports fest which also aimed to promote physical fitness among the participants. Aside from basketball, other events included volleyball, tug of war, chess, badminton and bunong braso.

The competing teams were the Judo Team, Taekwondo Team, College of Criminal Justice Education Interns, Crime Busters, Junior Drug Buster (JDB), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI, Kill Droga Club (KDC) and Junior Citizens Crime Watch (JCCW).

Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr., PDEA director general, expressed his support to the academe in the fight against drug menace in the country. He believes that prevention programs like sports activity for the youth is one intervention to prevent drug abuse.

Gutierrez emphasized that the support of the academe does not only intensify drug awareness campaign program, but it also empowers the youth to fight the drug menace in its own level.

“Let us do our share in the fight against illegal drugs and make our country a peaceful and progressive drug-free country to live in,” he said

DavSur women urged to help protect the environment

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur- Governor Douglas Cagas, during the local government’s commemoration of the 102nd International Women’s Day on Thursday, has called on his women constituents recently to cooperate and support the local government’s endeavors in protecting the environment, saying that women are the most affected especially those who are left at home.

Cagas urged them to lead and actively participate in the clean-up drive in their respective communities, join in tree planting activities, and support other environment programs in the province.

The governor has raised this call and encouragement for women’s involvement in environment concerns

About 350 women leaders from the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina-Davao del Sur Chapter and from other sectors in the province have celebrated the women’s day which was anchored on the theme: Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility.”

The inputs on Magna Carta for Women were also discussed during the event.

Cagas further urged the women to continue upholding and asserting their rights as declared in the Magna Carta for Women, saying that this serves as their protection including the children.

The women who represented the ten municipalities of the province and the city of Digos also showcased their talents in singing and dancing presentations.

They also partook in the Search for Ginang Kalipi 2012 and joined in the raffle draw that gave away packs of rice and plastic wares which were prepared by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

Migrants’ center seeks protection for abandoned families of OFWs

DAVAO CITY- Now serving 27 cases of abandoned women and families of overseas Filipino Workers, the Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions Inc. (MMCEAI) continues to pilot this advocacy here in the city.

"We are starting this in Davao by documenting cases and assisting the victims of this form of abandonment by way of legal help, counselling, and livelihood assistance", said MMCEAI executive director Inorisa Sialana-Elento.

Some overseas workers left the country for work, forgot about their family back home, and built new relationships in the foreign land. Victims of these cases are those who do not just experience physical abuse but also financial neglect and emotional abuses.

The center recently found out that there are policy gaps that should be addressed and protection mechanisms needed to be in place. The Magna Carta for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), according to Elento, lacked the discussion of the abandonment of families of OFWs. The new family code also failed to mention the protection of abandoned women and families of OFWs.

The MMCEAI thus asked for the review in the provisions of RA 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, the New Family Code of the Philippines, RA 9262 or Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004, Solo Parents Act of 2000 and other related laws favorable to abandoned women and families of OFWs.

Davao mall goes Green Fridays

DAVAO CITY- As its contribution in protecting the environment, a mall here has embarked on a greening advocacy urging shoppers to minimize the use of plastic bags.

Ayala owned Abreeza mall launched today (Mar.9) the Green Fridays campaign in collaboration with its merchants, aiming to encourage customers to use biodegradable packaging or paper bags in lieu of plastic bags. Abreeza operations manager Antonio Luigi C. Escano said the advocacy aspires for mall clients to make it a habit to use an eco-bag to save the environment.

While shopping every Friday starting March 9, mall shoppers could use any reusable bags or the Ayala Malls Eco bag available at the mall’s concierge for P50 each, Escano told the media during the Kapihan sa PIA-XI held at the Abreeza VIPinoy Lounge.

He said that incentive program is offered to participating customers who will get a chance of winning El Nido travel packages in Palawan and one unit of Avida Village House and Lot for the period covering March 9 to June 1, 2012. Grand raffle draw is on June 13.

A shopper will get one raffle coupon for every use of the Ayala Malls eco bag or any reusable bags, and paper bag/box when shopping at any merchant of the mall (food and non-food) during the promo period.

“Hopefully the customers will be encouraged to participate in the campaign,” Escano stated.

He said Ayala Malls commits to plant 100 citrus fruit trees for every 10,000 raffle coupons issued in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The trees will be planted at the Abuan Watershed in Northern Sierra Madre National Park, Isabela province, which aims to increase infiltration/aquifer recharge and baseflows, and reduce erosion and sedimentation of the Abuan river.

In Davao City, the Ayala Malls has also planted trees in Toril as part of the mall’s greening contribution, Escano said.

The Abreeza Mall’s existing environment initiatives and practices include the use of rainwater, water treatment plant in all facilities, recycling, environment-friendly equipment and airconditioning units that are energy efficient.

Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources legal and regional information chief Engr. Nestor Patnugot said the department is 100 percent supporting the Green Fridays of Abreeza Mall.

He said that the advocacy responds well to the government’s environment protection program that gears towards replacing plastics with biodegradable materials or paper bags.

Women's Market now in Davao

DAVAO CITY- Women farmers and producers opened the Women's Market earlier today at NCCC Mall Davao to show that they too are major force in food production.

In time for the celebration of the 102nd International Women's Day, this activity gathered women from different provinces in the region to showcase and sell their produce. Organizer from Oxfam, Jessan Catre, said this is the first time that this project is brought down to Davao after holding it in Manila.

Products that range from fresh fruits and vegetables to home-made peanut butter and chili sauce are but some of the products that buyers can purchase from the Women's Market.

To join the women participants in this two-day event are Oxfam ambassadors Cherry Pie Picache and Ping Medina.

"These women will not just sell their produce but also their ideas to urge the government to put in more support to women especially that they contribute well in the aspect of food production in this country," said Catre.

As a result in the regular consultation of Oxfam on Mindanao women, it was learned that women in Mindanao are more disadvantaged than women in other areas in the Philippines due to conflicts experienced in some areas in th region.

Also part of the two-day celebration intended for women is an exhibit titled "Saganang Amin". It will showcase different portraits of women food producers from the different parts of the country.

While shoppers check out the produce in the Women's Market, organizers also scheduled series of skill sharing sessions on vermiculture, halal and native delicacies preparation, as well as a forum that will teach farmers engage the market and government programs.

Davao women push for full operation of VAWC desks

DAVAO CITY- Davao’s women leaders and gender advocates have pushed for the creation and assurance for the full operation of the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desks or offices at the barangay level.

In a resolution presented to the recently-held 13th Citywide Women Summit, the women called on the local government to further strengthen the efforts of institutionalizing VAWC desk in every barangay in the city.

The resolution also asked for the provision of counseling services in the VAWC desk for the victims/survivors and doers of violence, as well as shelter for victims/survivors who suffer mental depression.

The call was among the several other concerns of women from the communities integrated in the 2012 Women Summit Resolutions which were endorsed to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio through a representative during the Women Summit held on March 1, this city.

In her acceptance of the resolutions and message of commitments through City Social Services and Development Office chief Maria Luisa Bermudo, the mayor acknowledged that VAWC is a major social concern.

“The City Government is one with you in meeting these (resolutions), but we also need your support for our programs for women to be successful,” Duterte-Carpio stated.

She said that based on the report of the city government’s Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD), 50 barangays in the city have already created their VAWC desks.

She urged the women to help push for the creation of their VAWC desks in their areas if they are not yet in place.

The Mayor stated that reduction of VAWC cases is one of the indicators for good governance set by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Duterte-Carpio also cited the free legal assistance for VAWC concerns through the legal counsel at the IGDD, and the Sidlakan Women Crises Center managed by the CSSDO for the victims of domestic violence.

In support for the full implementation of laws protecting women and children against violence, the city government has enjoined all its 182 barangay units to create their respective VAWC desks.

IGDD executive director Lorna Mandin said that the LGU is strengthening its program in facilitating the full implementation of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.

Mandin said that both laws mandate each barangay to create its VAWC desk that will be established in the barangay hall to give appropriate assistance and referrals to abused women and children.

IGDD spearheaded the 13th Citywide Women Summit on March 1 at Grand Men Seng Hotel, as a kick-off to the 102nd International Women’s Day celebration.

The summit was participated in by around 500 women leaders from the local and national government units, Barangay Council for Women, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, academe and the private sector.

Travel expo proves vibrant Davao tourism

DAVAO CITY– The high turn out of travel and tour operators that joined this year’s Mega Travel Sale initiated by the Davao Association of Tour Operators (DTAA) showed how tourists still believe in the Davao market.

DTAA President Krizia Tan told the media that there are 60 tour operators that participated in the travel expo held from March 2 to 4 at Abreeza Mall. Sixty percent of which came from companies operating outside Davao while the rest are local operators.

“ Last year’s participation was mostly companies based in Davao but we are happy now that many from outside the city joined and were happy with the turn out of the expo,” said Tan.

Apart from the different private tour operators that offered affordable rates for travel and tours, three tourism board also took the chance to introduce their tourist destinations to Dabawenyos.

Tourism board of Sabah, Malaysia, and Indonesia were around to introduce money-value tour packages.

It was also during the opening of the travel expo that Indonesian Consul General in Davao City Eko Hartono announced the re-opening of the Davao-Manado connection. Two flights per week will soon be availed by local travelers going to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Tan and the rest of the local tour operators took it as a welcome development that would further boost tourism in the City.

Meanwhile, the Sabah Tourism Board officials also visited the city to assess the viability of a direct flight from Davao to Kota Kinabalu.

The entry of budget airlines like the newest AirAsia that flies Davao-Clark has also contributed to the increasing appreciation of Dabawenyos to travel both domestic and international.

Tan explained that local tourists still chose HongKong as the most preferred international destination while most preferred domestic destinations are Bohol, Palawan, and Boracay.

DTAA targeted a P10 million gross sales from the travel expo. Tan expects to surpass this target given that participating tour operators have been happy and satisfied with the turn-out during the first two days of the event.

DAR-XI rehabilitates farm-to-market road for rice farmers

MAGSAYSAY, Davao del Sur- The recently rehabilitated farm-to-market road (FMR), in Barangay Lower Bala of this town is seen to increase by 20 percent the income of rice farmers here.

Previously, most parts of the 4.470-kilometer long road were impassable during rainy days interrupting the transportation of farmers’ produce to the market.

Now, with the P7.2 million FMR rehabilitation project of the Department of Agrarian Reform, the road reduced travel time to travelers especially for the farmers who have also lowered the hauling cost of their farm products.

DAR has completed and turned over the project which was implemented under its Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (DAR-ARISP 3) to the local government units in Davao del Sur in February this year.

Aside from Barangay Lower Bala, the FMR project also benefits other adjoining barangays namely New Ilocos, Simon, San Isidro, Tacul, Barayong, Upper Bala in the municipality of Magsaysay and some barangays of Colombio municipality, province of Sultan Kudarat.

“I am committed to the maintenance of this road,” said Governor Douglas R. Cagas in his acceptance speech during the turn-over ceremony.

Together with Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Wilson S. Antiga, District Engineer Zenaida Tan, and Barangay Captain Pastor Basinilio of Lower Bala, Cagas signed the turn-over documents.

“This is our continuing commitment in sustaining the gains of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), hand-in-hand we will make things happen,” Antiga said.

The FMR rehabilitation project is under DAR-ARISP 3’s Road 1project which represents 40% of the total project cost of P18 million. Road 1 project also includes the widening and gravelling of the road with two-line box culvert and two-line lateral and minor-cross drainage.

The 60% of the total project will go to Road 2 project worth P10.8 million for the rehabilitation and concreting of a 4.8-kilometer FMR connecting the Simon-Sambino-Kilolog roads.

The project needs an equity share which will be funded by the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur.

Program of work for the Road 2 project is now wrapping-up and will be implemented within the year.

DAR-ARISP 3 is a package to support the agricultural-productivity of the agrarian reform beneficiaries in the rural areas. The package is comprised of sub-projects namely a) irrigation component b) farm-to-market road c)post-harvest facility d) potable water system and e) agri-tenchnology transfer and institutional development.

DavSur barangays get financial aid, computer sets

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur- The provincial government here distributed on Monday (Feb. 27) financial assistance worth over P2.6 million and computer sets to some barangays from different municipalities in the province.

Governor Douglas Cagas handed over mock checks indicating the amount of the financial assistance to the barangay recipients in a ceremonial distribution held on February 27 at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Barangay Matti, Digos City.

The first to accept the assistance was barangay chief Rodrigo Borja of Barangay Balasinon of Sulop town, which was granted P900,000 funding for the phase four construction of its seawall.

In the same municipality, Barangay Solongvale represented by Barangay Captain George Anito received P150,000 for the construction of an elevated water reservoir project.

In Magsaysay town, Barangay Kanapulo headed by Barangay Captain Agustin Limosnero, Jr. got P500,000 to complete the construction of its barangay gymnasium with three-layered bleachers and perimeters.

A financial assistance worth P50,000 was provided to Barangay Bacungan, also in Magsaysay town, for the construction of two water reservoirs. Brgy. Captain Raul Sanchez received the assistance.

In the municipality of Matanao, Barangay Tibongbong gained P500,000 for the construction of its barangay gym, of which assistance was accepted by Barangay Captain Loenicito Zamora.

Barangay Captain Virginia Tobiano of Kibuaya, Hagonoy town received a P542,000 support for the construction of its public market.

The provincial government also provided one set of computer unit to each of the four barangay recipients namely: Northern Paligue of Padada, Tinongtongan and Eman of Bansalan, and Blucon of Magsaysay.

From the provincial education fund, the governor also granted computer units to four schools such as Aplaya Elementary School in Digos City, Mabunga Elementary School of Bansalan, Marciano Apiag Elementary School and Kapok Elementary School, both of Matanao.

The provision financial assistance and computer sets are anchored on Cagas’ program on I-HELP plus plus plus which stands for Infrastructures, Health, Education, Livelihood and Peace and Order, and other programs such as tourism, agriculture and housing.

Alleged priest killer nabbed in Davao del Sur

DIGOS CITY, Philippines—One of the suspected killers of the Rev. Cecilio Lucero of the Catubig parish in Northern Samar in 2009 might have thought he could run forever from justice by hiding in the sleepy town of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur.

But Jerry Espera, a former soldier who hails from Mondragon in Northern Samar, made the biggest mistake of his life by applying for a job as bodyguard of Sta. Cruz Mayor Joel Ray Lopez.

Lopez said it was his practice to thoroughly verify the backgrounds of individuals applying for jobs in the government and most of all of people wanting to be part of his bodyguard.

Lopez said about two weeks ago, while on an official trip to Manila, he received a call from a man who identified himself as a member of the Lopez clan too.

“He wanted to be my bodyguard and told me about his background as a soldier,” the mayor told the Inquirer.

Lopez said he had misgivings about accepting the call because he did not know the man in the first place and he wondered how the former soldier got his number.

Lopez said he told the man to wait for his return so they could meet in person.

After Lopez returned from Manila, he said, the man showed up at his office in Sta. Cruz.

The name Jerry Domasig Espera of Mondragon, Northern Samar, was clearly written on the application, Lopez said.

He said he told Espera to wait to be contacted by the mayor’s office.

After the man left, Lopez said, he had the man’s picture scanned and e-mailed to the police in Northern Samar.

When the feedback came, it turned out that Espera was one of the suspects in the killing of Father Lucero.

Lopez also learned that Espera had a pending warrant for kidnapping with rape.

Lopez had Espera arrested on February 12 on the strength of the pending warrant and he has since been returned to Northern Samar, according to Sta. Cruz police chief Senior Inspector Alfredo Santillana.

The priest, a younger brother of former Northern Samar Rep. Wilmar Lucero, was driving his car in the morning of September 6, 2009 when he ambushed by some 30 masked men in Barangay Layuhan in San Jose, Northern Samar.

One of the priest’s companions, Isidro Miras, was wounded but his police escort was unscathed.

The former congressman said that prior to the ambush, the priest had called him to say he had had an argument with the commander of an Army detachment in Catubig, also in Northern Samar, over alleged abuses by soldiers.

The Lucero family and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines asked then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to act swiftly on the priest’s killing.

DPWH starts drainage project in Davao City

DAVAO CITY- The Davao City Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and upgrading of a damaged portion of the national road along Quezon Boulevard and R. Castillo Street.

District Engineer De Lorna T. Ricardo announced that commuters could experience heavy traffic starting today as DWPH equipment and workers will temporarily use a portion of the road for the rehabilitation.

The project in Quezon Boulevard has a total cost of P36 million while the R. Castillo project amounts to almost P40 million.

These projects are declared top priority by the DPWH following frequent flooding incidences in most areas of downtown Davao.

The official explained the project will finally address the problem on Davao’s drainage system as it was believed to be the cause of flooding in these areas every time the city experiences heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, during the Kapihan sa Dabaw last Monday (Feb 13), the City Engineering Office saw the need for engineering interventions like the construction of flood gates and pumping stations and rehabilitation of Davao’s drainage to mitigate flooding problem in the city.

Engineer Alan Tibor bared in Monday's Club 888 that these are the immediate needs in the city given that are plenty of low-lying areas that suffer severe flooding.

"A big part of the city are now below sea level," Tibor said.

City consultant Danny Dayanghirang cited the Candaba flood project as a potential solution for Davao's case.

"We would definitely be needing billions but this is what we really need. A flood gate that we can close during high tide and we can turn open when water volume is low," Dayanghirang said.

The city, as observed by experts, often experience heavy rainfall with heavy water volume that usually results to flooding in most parts of the city.

Tibor explained that Davao has total of 25 outlets like creeks, natural water ways, canals and rivers. However, most of the rivers are no longer functioning normally. Instead of directing the water from canals to the sea, water often goes back to the source as they get blocked along the way.

Consultants now push the city to require industries to put up their own water impounding system. This way, high volume of water are temporarily impounded when there's too much of it and use it later by the industry instead of having it flow down the streets and cause massive flooding.

MGB10 enumerated hazard-prone areas

DAVAO CITY- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-10 (MGB) has reminded the local government units of the region to be alert and be prepared especially in landslide and flood-prone areas.

Local government units in areas that are ranked extremely high in susceptibility to landslide and flooding are advised to immediately relocate the residents of these zones to safer areas.

MGB-10 Regional Director Edilberto Arreza said that in Davao City, certain areas are identified as prone to flooding and areas which are highly susceptible to landslide include Marilog, Paquibato and Calinan District.

A number of barangays in municipalities of New Corella, Santo Tomas, Braulio Dujali, Carmen, Tagum and Panabo are prone to flooding. Most of the areas prone to flooding in Davao del Norte are those in close proximity to rivers and creeks. Said areas in Sto.Tomas are near Libuganon River and Tuganay River which also cause riverbank erosion and scouring to dwelling areas adjacent to riverbanks.

Arreza said areas that are both prone to landslide and flooding are found in the municipality of Talaingod in barangays Palma Gil and Dagohoy. Barangays in the municipalities mentioned are advised to be alert especially during storm and rainy days. Fourteen barangays in Tagum meanwhile, are identified as high in terms of flooding susceptibility.

In Davao del Sur, the municipality of Jose Abad Santos has high incidence of flooding in most of its barangays. Sixteen barangays out of the 23 that was mapped for geo-hazard are frequently flooded. Four of these barangays are also high in terms of flooding. Other hazards identified in this municipality include among others, flashflooding, storm surge, coastal erosion and tidal flooding.

Conversely, the municipalities of Hagonoy, Padada and Sulop, have only few identified areas prone to flooding. Sta Maria, on the other hand, have 12 municipalities out of 22 are landslide prone areas and six of these are either very high or extremely high in landslide vulnerability. Barangays high in flooding are Basiawan, Buca, Pongpong and six others.

Don Marcelino as well have its share of flooding incidence in eight barangays and where flooding are also likely to occur in said areas. This municipality is also landslide prone in Baluntaya, Dalupan and West Lamitan. Malita is equally prone to flooding and flashfloods where 18 of its barangays out of 30 mapped are identified as flood prone areas.

In Davao Oriental, the barangays of San Jose and Sibajay in the municipality of Boston are high in terms of landslide with high possible occurrences of flashfloods. Most of the barangays in Cateel on the other hand, are prone to flooding. Twelve out of sixteen mapped have high flooding occurrences.

In Baganga, barangays Kinablangan, Mikit and Mahanub are high in landslide, especially Mikit due to the presence of old landslide areas located in barangay proper. Baganga has about five areas prone to tidal flooding namely Banao, Lambajon, Salingcomot, Lucod and Saoquegue.

The municipality of Caraga, on the other hand, has mountainous areas that are identified as very high in terms of landslide, also barangay Tubaon in Tarragona especially in sitios Maitum, Madian, Cangusan and Sakulip where the category is very high to extremely high. In cases where category is extremely high, residents are advised to look for safer relocation areas.

Mati has certain barangays namely Mayo, Tagabakid, Danao, Dawan and Macambol that are in danger of mass movements and said areas are identified as extremely susceptible to landslide occurrences mainly because these areas are within the Philippine Fault Zone. Bobon, Tamisan, Lawigan and Dahican are prone to tidal flooding.

Portions of barangays Bitaugan and Sto. Rosario are extremely high to landslide, also San Miguel, Dugmanon and Iba in the municipality of San Isidro. The same is also true for barangays Calapagan and Marayag in Lupon identified as very high in landslide mainly because said areas are within the Philippine Fault Zone. Barangay Punta Linao in Banay Banay is prone to landslide as the area is identified as a mining area. Also in barangays Magdug, Monserrat and Oregon of Governor Generoso where most of the areas are hilly.

In Compostela Valley Province, the municipalities of Compostela, Maco, Maragusan, New Bataan and Pantukan have high incidence in flooding and flashfloods. Areas prone to landslides are Mapaca and San Miguel in the municipality of Compostela, Masara in Maco is very high to landslide while Langgam, Panoraon, Tagbaros, Mainit, Elizalde and Panangan have high ratings in terms of landslide. In Maragusan, most of the areas rated as high in flooding were also identified as areas high in landslide such as Poblacion, Lahi, Tupaz, Cambagang and Bagong Silang.

Mawab is high to landslide in barangays Concepcion, Poblacion and very high in Tuboran. Monkayo, equally is prone to landslide in areas namely Banlag, Baylo, San Isidro and Mt. Diwata. Residents in these areas, especially Mt. Diwata are highly advised to relocate to areas identified as relocation areas.

Spanish NGOs to set up sports school for disadvantaged kids

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur- Two foundations from Spain will assist the development of a social sports school to benefit disadvantaged children in this town.

The non-government organization Anakk-Sta. Cruz has partnered with Spain’s Real Madrid Foundation and Mapfre Insular Foundation to provide educational assistance and sports training for children.

Anakk-Sta. Cruz executive director Pablo Tanuan said that the Anakk Social Sports Integration project puts together literacy program and infrastructure to implement the social sports program.

Tanauan said the literacy program offers support for regular and formal schooling. An alternative learning system (ALS) is also offered for older children who had been delayed of their educational attainments but are willing to finish elementary and high school.

Presently, Tanauan said there are 30 beneficiaries who are attending the ALS program, while 50 are attending formal schooling.

Of the 80 child-beneficiaries, 55 are boys while 25 are girls.

The kids are aged 10 to 17 years old. They are from the “vulnerable” or disadvantaged sector, which are at risk, indigent, school drop-outs and out-of-school. The program includes training for technical and vocational, on-the-job training, post-technical training and psycho-social and values formation.

Real Madrid Foundation, one of the world’s most prominent football organizations, will provide the sports training program and the technical assistance for the school sports center.

Anakk-Sta. Cruz will ensure to employ the foundation’s training program which will be monitored and assessed by Real Madrid periodically.

Mapfre Foundation will shoulder the annual 16,000-Euros or P9-million resource, according to Mapfre chief executive officer and president Javier Warleta. Warleta assured that the longevity of the assistance may be indefinite depending on the success of the project. “We feel that this strong social project would be sustainable and long-term,” he stated.

“Sports become a powerful tool to help children in need to have better lives and to become good citizens,” Warleta said during the launching of the project. The launching of the social sports school was done at the two-hectare area at Barangay Zone in Sta. Cruz which the municipal government has provided for the project’s football field.

Mayor Joel Ray Lopez lauded the project, saying “this will help a lot in nurturing our youth and children in the field of sports, and in preparing them for the future.” “The sports school will surely be another milestone for Davao del Sur,” Lopez stated.

Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Jorge Domecq Fernandez de Bobadilla, Spanish Honorary Consul in Davao Francisco Lon and regional director Arturo P. Boncato, Jr. of the Department of Tourism-10 also witnessed the launching of the sports school.

Abu Dhabi ambulance company needs 122 emergency medical technicians

DAVAO CITY- The National Ambulance Company in Abu Dhabi is hiring 122 emergency medical technicians, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration here announced.

POEA regional head Carolina Agdamag said the position offers a minimum annual salary of United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 102,000 or PhP1,176,145.57 in the present exchange rate.

Agdamag said the hiring company needs male and female qualified applicants who are not more than 45 years old, and preferably graduates of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The applicants must have two years Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) experience with at least one year following certification.

The other requirements are Philippine Society Emergency Medical Technicians (PSEMT) Certificate of Registration and valid driver’s license and driving experience.

Applicants who have Red Cross EMT training will only be considered if they have PSEMT registration, the POEA announcement said, adding that Red Cross training is not recognized by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi.

Agdamag advised qualified applicants to register online at www.poea.gov.ph or www.eregister.poea.gov.ph and personally submit a detailed resume with job description and other required documents on or before February 17, 2012 to POEA office in Mandaluyong City.

The other documents required are school credentials, employment certificates, original and photocopy of the first page of the passport copy (valid for two years) and 4x6 recent photo.

POEA reminds applicants who register online that they will be asked to present original documents for authentication of written information before forwarding the resume to the employer.

Davao del Sur gains P1.3M net income from PBA finals game

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur- The provincial government of Davao del Sur has earned a net income of about P1.3 million from the first finals game of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) recently held at the newly built coliseum in the province. Governor Douglas Cagas reported this saying that the gross income from the PBA finals game played by Talk ‘N Text and Powerade Tigers on Jan. 20, was estimated to have reached to over P3.5 million.

Cagas said that the income came from the ticket sales, which amounted to P1,842,090, and from the contributions of sponsors that reached to P1,723,550. The Vovernor made his report to the provincial capitol employees during the Monday convocation program on Feb. 1.

He said that the net income of P1.3 million would be intended for the maintenance of the Davao del Sur Coliseum.

According to provincial information officer Nilda Aninon, the provincial government shouldered all expenses required for hosting the PBA game, which amounted to around P2,202,420.15. From the gross income, Aninon said that Davao del Sur provincial government paid a fee to the Games and Amusement Board for the players of Talk ‘N Text and Powerade Tigers.

She said that other expenses were also shouldered such as the fee for the exclusive television coverage by the AKTV sports channel, hotel accommodation, plane and land transportation fares of the players.

Cagas has expressed high hopes for the 5,000-seater and fully air conditioned coliseum to bring economic stability for Davao del Sur, saying that this has been his long-time dream for his constituents.

The P268-million worth gymnasium has already hosted three games of the PBA prior to the finals game this year.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has chosen the province as one of the 10 provinces nationwide to host the PBA semi-finals on July 30 last year.

The first PBA game was played by PBA teams Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine during the grand opening of the coliseum on December 4, 2010. The event has earned the province some P1.58 million net proceeds.

The second PBA game was played on June 25 as part of the week-long celebration of the 44th Araw ng Davao del Sur. This game provided about P700,000 net income for the province.

Cagas said that the PSC has been considering the sports complex to be the sports training center in Mindanao.

The coliseum is part of the P500 million five-structure components designed for the Davao del Sur Sports-Cultural and Business Center Complex to include convention centers, swimming pool, volleyball court, dormitory and restaurant, parks and playground and track and field.

Improving the sports tourism in the province is part of the governor’s core program in making Davao del Sur an Agro Industrial Commercial Eco-Tourism province.

DavSur LCEs, academe leaders commit to “Run to Plant for Greenin PH”

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur- Several municipal local chief executives and heads of various schools here committed to join and give support to an environment cause dubbed “Run to Plant for Greenin Philippines.”

Mayors of eight municipalities and 15 Catholic school administrators in Davao del Sur have agreed to participate in the tree planting activity spearheaded by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) and Holy Cross of Bansalan College (HCBC) in collaboration with the provincial government unit.

The agreement was met during an orientation activity led by Governor Douglas Cagas and HCBC community extension service coordinator Sr. Maria Herminia G. Gornes, RVM on February 8 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall.

The mayors who were present during the orientation were Edwin Reyes of Bansalan, Marivic Diamante of Kiblawan, Franco Calida (Hagonoy), Mila Cabanero (Sta. Maria), Vicente Fernandez (Matanao), Pedro Caminero, Jr. (Padada) and Jimmy Sagarino (Sulop). A representative of Sta. Cruz Mayor Joel Ray Lopez was also present.

The 15 participating schools are members of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippine (CEAP) in Davao del Sur, by which Cebu-based RAFI has an existing partnership for the “Run to Plant for Greenin Philippines” program nationwide.

RAFI's integrated development unit executive director Rowena Bandola-Alensonorin said that Davao del Sur is the second area to implement the tree planting activity, after Cebu which conducted the said activity last year.

She added that the province is the first to carry on this particular reforestation undertaking in Mindanao.

Together with Lao Integrated Farms, Inc. from the private sector, the groups also agreed on launching the “Run to Plant for Greenin Philippines” on February 20 at Davao del Sur Coliseum in Barangay Matti, Digos City where key players would forge the partnership to be fixed in a memorandum of agreement (MOA).

After the MOA signing, Gov. Cagas said that a ceremonial tree planting would take place in the immediate surroundings of the coliseum where a portion of it is allocated by the governor to the Cor Jesu College of Digos City.

Cagas said that nursery areas would be selected and developed in preparation for the simultaneous tree planting all over Davao del Sur on June 30 this year in time for the celebration of the environment month.

“Tree planting should be a daily love affair,” the governor said following a statement of his dream for the future generations to see and enjoy a forest in the province.

He said that this vision has inspired him more to push for programs in the protection and preservation of the environment such as sustainable reforestation.

The governor lamented that not a single forest exists in Davao del Sur.

“This is why we are pushing for a sustainable reforestation,” Cagas stated explaining that the Run to Plant undertaking is not just to plant trees but also to nurture the trees.

He also relied on building a private-public partnership with the LGUs, academe, non-government organizations, civil society, the academe and the private sector to make the endeavors sustainable and successful.

“It’s everyone’s job,” the governor said on the environment cause.

Sr. Gornes told the Philippine Information Agency of her hopes that the implementation of Run to Plant would not fall to “ningas cogon.”

Being a daughter of a farmer and an environment advocate herself, Sr. Gornes said she is personally committed to the undertaking.

Solar power comes to remote Davao del Sur village

DIGOS CITY, Philippines—Dark nights—as well as long hikes to charge cell phones— ended for one of Digos’ remotest villages Friday night as lanterns powered by solar energy started to illuminate its houses.

For 36 years since electricity came first to this city, the people of the mountain village of Sitio Sabwag had not felt what it was like to have electric bulbs at night. They were used to the old-fashioned “gasera,” kerosene or oil lamps, or in the case of more affluent residents, the “petromax,” a lamp that burns on kerosene and air pressure.

The village, with less than 50 households, is only a few kilometers from the peak of Mt. Apo.

On Friday, all 48 households in the village switched their light bulbs on, courtesy of the Solar Energy Foundation. The lamps were personally delivered by the foundation’s chairman, Jaime Ayala, who led 38 climbers from the Kaya ng Pinoy Foundation to Sitio Sabwag to distribut the solar lanterns.

He was also accompanied by Digos Mayor Joseph Peñas, Vice Mayor Reynaldo Hermosisima, Kapatagan barangay chief Juanito Morales and other local officials.

Ayala said they decided on the solar-powered lanterns because they were “much superior to conventional battery-operated flashlights.”

“When fully charged, the solar lantern will drain after 100 hours using the normal selector and nine hours for its maximum illumination,” he said.

Ayala said another thing the solar lanterns can do is serve as chargers for cellular phones.

Morales said some residents of Sitio Sabwag, despite the lack of electricity, own cell phones, which they use to communicate with their relatives living elsewhere.

He said they had to walk kilometers away to the nearest village with electricity to charge their batteries.

“That ends now, too. The lanterns can well do that job for them,” he said.

Morales said another important thing the lanterns will do is provide students with brighter light when they study at night.

“Previously, they gathered around the family’s gasera to do that,” he said.

Ayala said since 2011, the Solar Energy Foundation has been trying to improve the lives of people in the country’s remotest areas by providing them with solar lanterns.

He said so far, solar powered lanterns have been distributed to off-grid communities living on Mt. Apo; Mt. Dulang-Dulang; Mt. Canlaon; Mt. Pulag; and Mt. Guiting-Guiting.

Art Valdez of the Kaya ng Pinoy Foundation said they harnessed their enthusiasm for trekking to help those who on the six highest mountains across the Philippines.

“The climbers are helping spread the foundation’s mission of providing sustainable access to energy in the most remote nooks in the country to enhance social development while assisting others to move out of poverty by harnessing renewable energy for communication, health and improved quality of life which is a strong form of empowerment for the beneficiaries,” Ayala said.

Davao City eyes quake search and rescue upgrade

DAVAO CITY- Davao City Central 911 Emergency Response Center is planning the training of more personnel for collapsed structure search and rescue after the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Central Visayas last week.

"There are only six personnel in the urban search and rescue team which are capable of collapsed structure search and rescue and that includes me." Colonel Verner Monsanto head of the Central 911 said.

He added that recently one of the six left Central 911. “That means only four men are really proficient in this kind of job,” Monsanto said.

Collapse structure search and rescue is a highly technical course which helps personnel deal with SAR in collapse structure particularly after the aftermath of strong earthquakes. Monsanto said that this kind or rescue is very dangerous since it deals with highly unstable structures which can collapse anytime.

He said that before SAR personnel enter a collapsed structure they still have to verify the structural integrity of the structures with the help of structural engineers.

Monsanto said they are eyeing another set of training for the 46-member USAR team of Central 911. The last CSSR (Collapse Structure Search and Rescue) course was done in 2008 and costs around P700,000. Monsanto estimated that current training cost could run up to a million with instructors coming in from Manila. Expenses would be spent on instructors’ fees, accommodation, transportation, materials and expenses for the actual training.

He said that CSSR training is needed now that Davao is seeing more high-rises built in the City. Davao.

Davao's Central 911 urges residents to have Grab-kits for disaster preparedness

DAVAO CITY- The Davao City Central 911 Emergency Response Center has urged Dabawenyos to have grab-kits in their homes and in their offices as part of disaster preparedness.

"Let us have grab kits ready in our homes and offices," says 911 chief Ver Monsanto. According to Monsanto a grab kit is a bag which includes spare clothes, blankets, food and water. In case of disaster like flooding evacuating individuals can use these grab kits to sustain them until help arrives.

Monsanto said that the flash floods in Iligan Cagayan de Oro and the recent earthquake which struck Negro Oriental saw rescue and relief help coming days after the disaster. Many of the victims evacuated without carrying provision and thus were left without food and water for days. "If you don't have grab kit, what will happen to you?" Monsanto added.

People can prepare grab kits by picking a bag and filling it with spare clothes, preferably which you have been using, non-perishable food items and most importantly water. They can store it in their homes, offices, schools or places where they frequent Monsanto said

Meanwhile the 911 chief said that they are getting regular weather updates from the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration) and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) so that they can be sure of possible weather disturbances. He says the forecasts of the two weather forecasting bodies sometimes vary.

This information are then relayed to the barangay officials and the media with the hope that weather advisories would be disseminated to the public.

Davao del Sur guv urges for relevant, responsive college courses

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur- Governor Douglas Cagas has urged for more relevant and responsive courses to be taught in colleges that would address the human resource needs of the province.

Cagas raised this suggestion on Tuesday to the officials of the state-ran Southern Philippines Agri-Business, Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) during the latter’s celebration of its 30th founding anniversary held in its Digos City campus.

In his keynote message, the governor emphasized the need for SPAMAST to modify its courses, saying “these courses should be relevant and responsive to the need of our people and to the province.”

He said that providing the appropriate curriculum would also address the problem on unemployment and underemployment in the province and in the country.

“The need for more relevant and responsive courses would ensure that our graduates will have something to get from their education for their survival in these difficult times,” he stated, as he addressed a crowd of SPAMAST officials, students, faculty members and guests.

Cagas encouraged to develop in schools more entrepreneurs, and agriculturists “who will work in the farms”.

SPAMAST college president Dr. Irvin Generalao responded positively to the challenge of the governor, saying that the school is going to the direction for more improvements.

Generalao said they will include in their strategic planning the review of SPAMAST’s present programs, adding that “We really need reformation in order to address the human resource needs of the province.”

He also took note of the governor’s suggestion on developing entrepreneurs, saying “We will review all the programs in order to open more area for entrepreneurship.”

Meanwhile, Generalao presented the school’s accomplishments for the last two years citing the increase of enrollment by 11 percent.

He also boasted of SPAMAST achievement in the board examinations, reporting that the school has obtained above national passing rates in courses such as engineering, agriculture, fisheries and education.

The weeklong celebration of SPAMAST’s founding anniversary kicked off yesterday (February 7) with a Holy Mass, motorcade and a program where SPAMAST officials recognized several of the school’s achievers, and supporters from the national and local government agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations.

Other activities held during the first day were a techno demonstration and exhibit, tree planting and basketball games. The celebration would also be held in other SPAMAST campuses in the municipalities of Malita and Matanao.

SPAMAST is the only state college in the province of Davao del Sur, created by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 148 and amended by Batas Pambansa 651.

It has two colleges namely: the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) located in Matti, Digos City and Matanao town, and the College of Agri-Business Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CAFMS) found in Malita town.

Davao del Sur mobile training van produces 4th batch of graduates

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur– The provincial government’s mobile training van recently produced its 4th batch of technical course graduates from the municipality of Matanao.

Around 181 graduates of different vocational and technical courses received their certificates on February 3, after completing a three-month skills training for free under the Mobile Training Van Alay sa Barangay program.

Of the certificate holders, 52 finished the Automotive course and 51 completed the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).

Some 35 certificate holders graduated from the electrical course and 23 from plumbing, while the tile setting and carpentry courses have respectively produced 14 and 6 graduates.

Rolly Impas, provincial manager of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), said the courses Automotive, SMAW and Electronic are all leading to the National Certificate II of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Impas told the Philippine Information Agency that the new graduates came from the 33 barangays of Matanao, the third recipient municipality of the mobile training van program after Kiblawan and Malalag that received the training last year.

“Take care of your certificates and use your newly-acquired skills properly and productively,” Governor Douglas Cagas urged the graduates during the graduation ceremony held at the Cagas Gym, Poblacion, Matanao.

Cagas further encouraged the graduates to enhance their skills by taking voluntary works in their communities in preparation for employment either abroad or in the locality, or before pursuing their own business.

The Mobile Training Van Alay sa Barangay is part of the governor’s endeavor on his Competency Acceleration for Grassroots Advancement in Skills (CAGAS) program, stated Impas, also scholarship focal person of the Community Trainor’s Employment Coordinator (CTEC).

The program is in coordination with TESDA, school partner Carmelo C. De Los Cientos, Sr. National Trade School and the local government of the recipient municipality.

Impas said that the beneficiaries of mobile van program are residents of Davao del Sur who would avail of free knowledge and skills learning and training of various technical courses to be taken in two to three months through the mobile van.

The qualified beneficiaries should be bonafide residents of the recipient town, who are high school graduates or out-of-school youth. The beneficiaries undergo special classes during the whole duration of the training.

The first batch of graduates of the mobile training van reached to 334 from Kiblawan town, while there were about 600 graduates from the 2nd and third batches who came from Malalag, Impas said.

He disclosed that the next stop of the mobile training van would be in Magsaysay town after completing an inventory of the van facility.

DRSUS is Detrimental to Davao youth and SCUs – NUSP

Lawmaker Isidro Ungab, Davao City’s representative for its third congressional district, has proposed House Bill 5311 or an Act to establish the Davao Regional State University System (DRSUS) which will integrate the region’s four state universities and colleges (SUCs) — the University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology and the Davao del Norte State College.

The proposed house bill aims to reduce the number of SCUs in the country so as to maximize their limited budget.

The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) believes that HB 5311 further justifies the continuous decrease in the budget for SUCs. The bill compromises the budget for college education to the detriment of the Filipino youth.

We say, the righteous path in addressing the deteriorating quality of and access to Philippine education system is to broaden the access to education for the poor majority especially in the provinces, allocate bigger budget for SCUs and ensure that quality education is provided for the country’s future generation.

For almost two years under the Aquino administration’s “daang matuwid,” the Filipino people have continued to suffer the impacts of the worsening socio-economic crisis. The administration through its palliative dole-out systems such as the Conditional Cash Transfer has been unable to uplift the lives of the Filipino people. It has slashed the budget for basic social services and education.

President Aquino’s message in light of the 2011 fiscal budget was: “We are gradually reducing the subsidy to SUCs to push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent, given their ability to raise their income and to utilize it for their programs and projects.”

In 2011, the Aquino administration allocated PhP 22.03 billion for SUCs nationwide, decreasing the budget by over PhP 1.8 billion. For 2012, the government has allocated only PhP 21.8 billion that will be shared by more than 110 SCUs all over the country.

Budget cuts resulted to continuous tuition and miscellaneous fees hikes, eventually privatizing the education. In essence the government keeps on being the number one agent in making education inaccessible which is tantamount to violating the right of the youth to education.

In line with its neo-liberal framework which aims to privatize public institutions, the government has been consistent with the design to reduce the number of SUCs in the country. As the name suggests, SCUs are ‘supposedly’ government-fund. The essence of these institutions is to cater quality and accessible education to the youth, by virtue of the universal truth that we are the future of our nation and thus, must be provided with the fundamental knowledge, training and practice to prepare us for our roles as future leaders.

We say, HB 5311 highlights the government’s abandonment of its social obligation to the Filipino youth. We call on administrators, students, teachers and staff of all SUCs in the country to support and join us in the fight against HB 5311. We must fight for greater budget for SUCs, we must fight for a nationalist, pro-Filipino and scientific education.

Turtle Protection

DAVAO CITY – After being caught discarding parts of a sea turtle like any other rubbish found in bins, the mayor here wants the City Council to declare the owner of a South Korean vessel along with its voyagers onboard as “persona non grata.”

The Missionaries of Hannah International Mobilization on board M/V Hannah II were in hot water this week for throwing the head and other parts of a green sea turtle into a garbage bin at the Sta. Ana Pier, this city.

Green sea turtles are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union and the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Additional Fund

DAVAO CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has asked the World Bank (WB) to provide an additional P6 billion funding into the extension and expansion of the second phase of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), according to DA Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Alcala told a press forum here Monday that a WB team is currently conducting a review of the MRDP implementation. “The review mission is critical as it will render an evaluation that has influence on our request for project extension and additional financing, particularly for the rural infrastructure component,” he said.

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