Davao del Sur News

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Davao City to host Mindanao environment summit

DAVAO CITY- The first Mindanao Environment Summit will be hosted by Davao City this coming April 20-22.

The summit, is a gathering of various stakeholders and concerned citizens aimed at finding a common ground on answering the current problems brought about by climate change particularly in Mindanao.

“The impact of climate change is very clear to us; one example is Sendong which hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.” Says Ibno Hajar Turabin, chairperson of EarthSoul Solutions, a Mindanao-based environmental advocacy non-government organization; EarthSoul is spearheading the summit and the related event Green Caravan.

Turabin says that with divergent approaches in solving the climate change problems, they would want to find a common ground.

The summit will also highlight best environment-friendly practices in the fields of agriculture, forestry and solid waste management.

Among these ideas which will be highlighted in the summit is a flower-based biological control method for agri-pests, a do-nothing, spend-nothing reforestation strategy and organic natural farming.

Turabin says he will refrain discussing in detail the ideas to be presented so that people will be more curious in going to the summit.

Also various ideas in the summit will be combined into a Mindanao Environment Protocol which will also be signed during the event. Apart from the summit, the Green Caravan slated April 17 to 19 will gather various environmental and natural farming advocates from the cities of Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Cotabato and Davao at People's Park in this City.

The caravan will distribute educational materials on environmental protection and organic farming with the aim of raising awareness among Mindanaoans on serious environmental issues and the need to take resolute action.

Meanwhile City Agriculture's Office OIC head Leo Avila said that the City Government of Davao is fully supportive of the event in line with its mandate of promoting sustainable organic agriculture.

He bared that the City Mayor Sara Duterte herself immediately acted on the request of the Summit and Caravan organizers for the City to host the event which replied by offering the sprawling People’s Park as the venue for the caravan.

In return Turabin said that the group is fully supportive of the City’s leanings on organic agriculture, particularly in sharing technical assistance to organic farmers. He said that Davao City is the first LGU in the country to have an Organic Agriculture ordinance.

DOE to hold Enercon seminar in Davao

The Department of Energy, will hold a seminar on energy efficiency and conservation for the households and schools at the Abreeza Mall, Activity Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. today under its National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP).

A preparatory activity for the Earth Hour on March 31, the activity which will be conducted in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency and the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWFP) will gather about 300 students and members of the households to learn household energy conservation tips from DOE Sr. Science Research Specialist Marlon Romulo Domingo, and energy efficiency plans and programs of the department from Maximino G. Marquez.

WWFP project manager for sustainable consumption and production and green economy project manager Patrick Vincent Co will also discuss climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The event will also be an opportunity for the participants to understand and be convinced to participate in the staging of the Earth Hour 2012.

In the seminar, Davao Light and Power Company representative Ross Luga and Nelson Gumba will teach the participants on understanding the electric bill and learning to read the electric meter which is a common concern of the households.

As a highlight of the event, the regional director of the PIA Efren Elbanbuena and of the Department of Education- Susana Teresa Estigoy will lead the group in the pledging of commitment to save energy everyday and save the environment.

The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP) was launched in August 2004 with one clear general objective: to make energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) a way of life of every Filipino.

In line with the DOE’s mission to attain energy access for more and address emissions harmful to the environment, NEECP’s Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign aggressively promotes Energy Efficiency and Conservation.

The DOE partners with the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines and the Philippine Information Agency to disseminate adequate information on ways and measures to conserve energy and, thus the planet from environmental degradation.

Abreeza Mall, operations manager Luigi Escano welcomes activities such as these to promote the mall’s advocacy of getting more people involved in saving the environment.

DAR-11, state college ink partnership for agri project

DAVAO CITY- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the region has recently partnered with a state college in Davao Oriental to implement P86 million worth of projects to increase farm productivity and income of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB).

DAR-11 formally inked the partnership on March 23 in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST).

The collaboration signified the implementation of DAR’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) program in the region.

DAR regional director Datu Yusoph B. Mama explained that the ARCCESS program engages an inter-sectoral partnership which bids to help improve the organizational capacities of the participating ARB organizations (ARBOs) in agri-enterprise development for a maximum duration of three-year interventions.

Mama said that the ARCCESS program will operate in 29 municipalities and 40 agrarian reform communities (ARCs) in all five provinces of Davao Region.

Its implementation comprises of ten project proposals involving 53 ARB organizations with 8,603 target beneficiaries in the region, he added.

Among the projects in the line-up is the Cacao Production and Marketing in Davao City worth P6.59 million which will be managed by eight ARBOs and 680 beneficiaries.

In Davao del Sur, eight ARBOs with 1,545 target beneficiaries are expected to handle two projects valued at P20.26 million, namely the Sugar Block farming and Integrated Organic Rice Production and Marketing.

Copra trading and coconut-banana intercropping projects worth P9.54 million will be managed by ten ARBOs in Davao Oriental with 2,632 expected beneficiaries.

Compostela Valley has two proposed projects worth P34.27 million, the Integrated Rice Production and Marketing and the Coconut Production Enhancement and Copra Trading which will be managed by 11 ARBOs and 440 target beneficiaries.

Davao del Norte has the Integrated Rice Production and Marketing and the Cavandish Banana Processing with an estimated cost of P15.43 million to be managed by 17 ARBOs with 3,306 target beneficiaries.

The 53 ARBOs are expected to pass the needs assessment of DOSCST for them to be able to manage their respective proposed projects. Responding to the needs of the farmers, DOSCST President Dr. Edito B. Sumile signified his resounding commitment to help DAR’s mission of uplifting the economic lives of the underprivileged sector of the society in the entire region.

To ensure the achievement of the program’s goal without any bias, DAR has tapped the Business Development Service (BDS) providers which include state colleges and universities or private sectors in determining its needs assessment and the viability of the ARBOs proposed business endeavors in their respective communities.

Mama said ARCCESS is seen by DAR as an effective tool in improving the performance of the ARBOs agri-enterprise, its access to markets and its ability to compete against other markets.

As part of its mandate to ensure the provision of support services to ARBs in the ARCs, DAR has deemed it a vital component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to augment farmers’ income in the rural areas.

Signing for the commitment of DAR for the farmers were the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officers to include Venchito S. Mandap of Davao Oriental; Norma B. Lemente of Compostela Valley; Wilson A. Antiga of Davao del Sur; Nicasio A. Lemente of Davao Norte; and Ernesto B. Tan of Davao City.

Fast-food chain offers summer program for kids

DAVAO CITY- A fast-food restaurant chain in the city continues to provide an option for Davaoeño kids to have fun and hone their talents this summer with the onset of the Jollibee Kids Scout Summer Program in April.

The annual summer program of the Jollibee Davao JTC Group of Companies offers workshop activities for children ages 6 to 12 years old, which aim to instill the values of fun, family and friendship.

Nelson Judaya, Jollibee Visayas-Mindanao Marketing Services head, said the summer program will feature workshops on performing arts such as dancing, singing and acting, arts and crafts, reading, and social skills.

Judaya told the media in Kapihan sa PIA at Jollibee Time Square on Thursday (March 22), the program becomes a yearly ally to parents in developing their children’s talents and skills as well as social values.

The workshops will come in four batches to start on April 9 until second week of May. Each Jollibee store in Davao City will conduct the workshops in four sessions per day with a maximum of ten participants per session that will last for two hours.

Judaya said children who want to join the summer program will have to sign up first in the Jollibee Kids Club (JKC) which requires payment of P50 as membership fee inclusive of an identification card and a kit for some freebies.

For the Jollibee Kids Scout Summer Program, participants are required to pay a participation fee of P500 per child inclusive of one shirt and a cap, meals and certificate.

Ciger Sario, Jollibee JTC Davao marketing and business development manager, said the program is eyeing instructors from the Davao City-based Ford Academy of the Arts to train the children on the performing arts and the arts and crafts.

Jollibee training experts will handle the workshops on reading and socials skills such as values, active play and outreach activities, Sario said.

He said that the summer program is among the many activities of the JKC which is part of Jollibee’s social responsibility and commitment to the children.

He added that JKC in Davao has more than 4,000 members already.

Another activity involving the JKC members this summer is the restaging of the Jollitown Time Travel Summer Art Camp on May 25 at SM City Davao and on May 26 at NCCC Mall, also in Davao City.

The summer art camp intends to expose the children to different arts activities such as poster making, drawing, arts and crafts and dancing.

DTI-Davao warns contractors to secure PCAB license to avoid sanctions

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao cautions all contractors, subcontractors, and specialty contractors to first secure a license from the agency before engaging into any construction activities in the Philippines to avoid sanctions.

The licenses, which shall be secured from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), which is under the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), a DTI-attached agency.

Republic Act 4566 (Contractors License Law), as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1746, requires all contractors, subcontractors, and specialty contractors, regardless of nationality, to get a PCAB license first before they get involved with construction.

Under the law, a contractor may secure any of the two types of licenses – regular and special.

The regular license is issued to a domestic construction firm which shall authorize the licensee to engage in construction contracting within the field and scope of his license classification(s) for as long as license validity is maintained through annual renewal; unless renewal is denied or the License is suspended, cancelled or revoked for cause(s).

The regular license shall be reserved for and issued only to constructor-firms of Filipino sole proprietorship, or partnership/corporation with at least 70 percent Filipino equity participation and duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the Philippine laws.

The special license, on the other hand, is issued to a joint venture, a consortium, a foreign constructor or a project owner which shall authorize the licensee to engage only in the construction of a single specific undertaking/project.

In case the licensee is a foreign firm, the license authorization shall be further subject to condition(s) as may have been imposed by the proper Philippine government authority in the grant of the privilege for him to so engage in construction contracting in the Philippines.

Annual renewal shall be required for as long as the undertaking/project is in progress, but shall be restricted to only as many times as necessary for completion of the same.

A regular license shall be valid for one fiscal year, from the first of July to the 30th of June of the ensuing year, unless suspended, invalidated, cancelled or revoked earlier by the Board, and shall be renewed annually.

A license issued after the first of July shall be valid for the remaining part of the fiscal year.

DTI 11 Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said that those who are engaged in contracting should get a PCAB license, else it is a violation of a Trade and Industry Law (TIL) and corresponding penalties will be charged against them.

“Once a contractor has a PCAB license, we are assured that they have passed the requirements relative to construction business. Through this way, we are also assured that they are aware of their responsibilities as contractors,” she said.

Meanwhile, PCAB chair Engr. Ramon F. Allado added that having a PCAB license legalizes one’s construction business.

It also professionalizes the industry and makes the playing field equal since having a license makes every firm accountable for his projects’ quality and adherence to standards and requirements as provided by law.

It assures the safety of the public, that only qualified and reliable contractors are allowed to undertake construction in the country,” he said.

DTI 11 is intensifying its campaign against unlicensed contractors in a bid to protect the project owners and employees/laborers involved in the said project.

Contractors caught operating without a license shall pay a penalty of up to P150,000 after due notice and hearing.

POEA warns OFWs against use of visit visa

DAVAO CITY- Overseas Filipino workers without the proper employment documents are more prone to abuses and exploitation by their employers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said as it warned anew against the use of tourist or visit visas to secure overseas jobs.

POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said illegal recruiters are using a third or fourth country, usually Asean-member countries where visa is not required of its citizens, and other countries in the Middle East as jump-off points to send Filipino workers to banned destinations.

The POEA has existing deployment bans on Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Nigeria.

Cacdac cited the case of undocumented household workers repatriated from Syria and Lebanon who complained of low or unpaid wages, long hours of work, and physical and verbal abuse suffered from their employers.

The workers were found to have left the country using short-term visit visas.

The POEA administrator said Dubai is one of the favorite destinations of Filipino workers wanting to find work overseas.

But Cacdac said a foreigner holding a visit visa is not allowed to work in Dubai and other countries.

In addition, holding a visit visa which expires in 60 days has pressured many Filipinos to agree to a substandard employment contract or submit themselves to physical and emotional exploitation.

“The legal way is to obtain an employment contract and employment visa or work permit and submit them to the POEA for processing and issuance of exit clearance,” Cacdac added.

Cacdac also reminded job applicants of the new guidelines issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation establishing stricter procedure on screening Filipinos leaving as tourist.

A traveler found to be misrepresenting the purpose of his or her foreign trip will not be allowed to board the plane, he added.

Multi-sectoral consultation to tackle agri-fisheries modernization

DAVAO CITY- The Department of Agriculture in the region will be spearheading an area-wide public consultation on March 22 here to gather inputs towards modernizing the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The DA in partnership with the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) will hold the multi-sectoral conference at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, this city.

DA-XI Regional Director Dr. Oscar O. Parawan said the consultation seeks to generate comments, reactions and recommendations on the draft regional Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP) for 2011-2017, before the same will be finalized and consolidated into the national AFMP.

The consultation expects participation from officials and representatives of the national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, private sector led agricultural and fishery councils and state universities and colleges.

Parawan raised the importance of this multi-sectoral conference in an invitation to the Philippine Information Agency, saying that the various significant inputs from the participants “will surely help in advancing agriculture and fisheries modernization.”

He said that DA is leading the updating of the AFMP 2011-2017 in accordance with the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) which mandates DA to formulate and implement a medium and long-term AFMP.

This, he added, is in consultation with farmers, fishers, private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (Pos), and the appropriate government agencies and offices.

Parawan said the AFMP will ensure that all DA’s regional field units, agencies, bureaus and offices will have an action program that is cohesive, reinforcing and consistent with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), AFMA and other national policy directives.

The AFMP will be utilized by the agri-fisheries sector as an instrument to sharply focus programs, projects and activities towards modernizing the agriculture and fisheries sector, he stated.

Pag-Ibig Program

DAVAO CITY— Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive officer Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe led the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Mati City's associations of tricycle drivers and fish vendors.

The signing was held on Thursday in Tagum City which coincided with the inauguration of Pag-IBIG Fund Tagum Branch new office building. However, Berberabe said they wanted to reach out also to all informal sectors as they wanted them to benefit from the fund's program on provident savings and home financing.

Republic Act 9679 requires for universal coverage including informal groups even as Berberabe said those earning R1,000 up can become Pag-IBIG Fund members.

Women fun run benefits Red Cross

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur– A run for a cause spearheaded by women here benefited the Digos City-based Red Cross Davao del Sur Chapter.

The total proceeds of P17,470 of the Women Fun Run 2012 was handed over to Red Cross as financial assistance last March 6.

The fun run which gathered more than 50 men, women and children in the city on March 3 was part of the week-long celebration of the International Women’s Month.

Roberto Zamora, information officer of Digos City government, said that the Gender and Development (GAD) team of the local government spearheaded the fun run and other activities.

Zamora told the Philippine Information Agency that the celebration also involved female high school and college students who joined in the essay writing contest which centered on this year’s theme on environmental concerns.

Some schools conducted extemporaneous speech competition with all female participants who anchored their message on environment.

Zamora said that women from the barangays, national government agencies and schools also actively engaged in activities such as in sports fest and socio-cultural contests.

He said the culmination program on March 8 which was graced by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as keynote speaker, gathered more than 1,200 women and men from the city LGU, barangays and other government agencies.

Employment information services move closer to Digos barangays

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur- Employment information services would soon be brought closer to communities here, as barangay chiefs allowed the establishment of the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) in their villages.

Some 11 barangay captains in Digos City agreed to become managers of PESO, a one-stop center that provides employment information assistance and various services to job seekers in their respective areas.

The village heads signed yesterday (Mar. 14) a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Davao del Sur provincial PESO in carrying out said program that aims to ensure the speedy, equitable and efficient delivery of employment services.

The following barangay captains would soon administer the PESO program in their barangays: Arnold Zapanta of Zone 1; Rodrigo Abangan (Zone 2); Gary Ra. Cagas (Zone 3); Reynaldo Aballe (Aplaya); Alex Sison (Dawis); Raul Genetializa (Lungag); Rodrigo Javier, Jr. (San Agustin); Tarciano Baba, Jr. (San Miguel); Fernando Lazarte (Soong); Josephine Comahig (Tiguman); and Leander Navarro (Tres de Mayo).

Aplaya Barangay Captain Aballe welcomed this new endeavor in his barangay, saying that this could help facilitate work for the new graduates and the unemployed in his area.

Prior to the MOA signing on Wednesday at Barangay Zone III conference hall, Malalag PESO manager Bernadette Saladaga oriented the village heads about the multi-employment service program.

Saladaga said the PESO facility at the barangay would function as center for referrals of human resources within the community to employers and establishments with job vacancies within and outside the city.

The PESO would serve as information center for the various services and programs of DOLE and other government agencies present in the area, and would provide clients with adequate information on employment and labor market situation in the area.

Saladaga said the program would also provide career and employment coaching such as the Pre-Employment Seminar for Local Applicants (PESLA) to graduating students to prepare them for employment. She shared that among the benefits for having the PESO program include the gains of the network with other PESOs within the region on employment for job exchange, and availing of the technical and financial assistance from DOLE.

Provincial PESO manager Rolly Impas urged the new barangay PESO managers to include in their plans the skills profiling that would facilitate the easy matching of skills with the available jobs.

Meanwhile, DOLE assistant regional director Van Cebrano emphasized the significance of installing the PESO program in the barangays, saying that this could help address the concern on human trafficking.

Cebrano said that with the advocacy and education component of PESO, the barangay constituents would be made aware of illegal recruitment which mostly victimized the vulnerable sector in the communities.

The 11 barangays out of the 26 in Digos City will be the first to establish the PESO program in their respective areas. In the entire province, the municipality of Malalag is the first to have all its 15 barangays functioned as PESO centers.

The establishment of PESO at the local levels capital towns of provinces, key cities, and other strategic areas is pursuant to Republic Act No. 8759 otherwise known as the PESO Act of 1999.

Lady lawmakers call on women’s engagement in mitigating disasters

DAVAO CITY- Lady lawmakers here have called on women from all sectors in the city to take part in the efforts of mitigating calamities.

Davao City Councilor Atty. Leah Librado-Yap urged the women to actively engage in endeavors to save the environment and in campaigns calling for the care of the environment which translates to protecting “our women and children”.

“Because in the long run, we all suffer from the disastrous effects of typhoons, flashfloods and landslides,” Librado-Yap said during the celebration of the 102nd International Women’s Day held last March 8 at the People’s Park, this city.

The lady councilor raised the call after sharing a study by the Center for Women Resources (CWR) revealing that “women victims of calamities have to contend with at least four issues that are the result of falling victim to natural calamities.”

Librado-Yap said the study discovered that women are forced to take extra jobs because during calamities, the regular sources of income of husbands are disrupted.

“This is an added burden to women since they are still the ones expected to do the housework for their own homes,” stated Librado-Yap who chairs the council’s committee for women and children.

Women also become more vulnerable to sexual abuses and prone to contracting diseases such as urinary tract infection, diarrhea and lung complications in the wake of calamities, she said.

Librado-Yap mentioned that there were 377 recorded cases of leptospirosis among women and 24 died after the onslaught of typhoon Sendong.

The CWR study also found out that many women experience psychological stress or trauma after the calamity, she said adding that this “worsens everyday as they bear the burden of securing food for their families.”

Meanwhile, another Davao City Councilor Marissa Abella encouraged the women to practice measures in protecting the environment at their respective homes such as segregation of wastes and conserving water and electric power.

She told the women who are mostly mothers to teach their children on the importance of taking care of the environment.

Abella, who chairs the committee on environment, also urged the women to participate in tree planting activities.

“The government needs women to be champions in saving the environment,” she emphasized during the celebration of the women’s day.

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.

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