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DavSur local chief exec mulls replication of “Serbisyo Caravan” in barangays

MALITA, Davao del Sur- After convergence of programs and services for his poor constituents were implemented, the local chief executive of the municipality of Malita has mulled over replicating the same in the town’s 30 barangays.

Malita Mayor Benjamin Bautista, Jr. was grateful to the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) Region XI for bringing in various services in this remote town of Davao del Sur through the “Serbisyo Caravan” on April 27.

Bautista said he wanted to replicate this one-stop-shop delivery of government services “right at the people’s doorsteps” at the barangay level.

During the ARENA-XI “Serbisyo Caravan” last Friday, 47 national government agencies (NGAs) and Government-Owned Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) introduced their respective programs and services that benefited over 2,000 poor people in Malita.

The biggest service provided was the surgical mission that was organized by the Department of Health, Davao Regional Hospital of Tagum City and the Southern Philippine Medical Center, where hundred patients have undergone minor surgeries such as removal of cysts.

The surgical operations conducted at the Malita Municipal District Hospital also included thyroidectomy as a major surgery, and hydrocelectomy as a medium operation.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-XI) handed over the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) pay-outs to around 500 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

DSWD-XI has also handed over 10 wheelchairs to Malita’s Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The Department of Education distributed 150 school bags with school supplies to Day Care pupils, while the Commission on Higher Education issued special scholarship grants to 15 beneficiaries.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) contributed more than a thousand pencils.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed 30,000 tilapia fingerlings, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources gave out 400 seedlings of Narra and Mahogany.

Achilles Gerard Bravo, ARENA-XI president and Department of Budget and Management regional director, said the caravan focuses on addressing the concerns of the local government units, especially those with high incidence of poverty and armed conflicts.

Bravo said Malita has the highest incidence of poverty in the region according to the data from the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

Bautista recognized this concern saying that the municipality is the biggest in terms of area, and has the biggest population in the province.

But, despite this, the local government unit has continued providing services to the people, the mayor told the media in a press conference shortly after the opening program during the caravan.

“Slowly and surely, we have maintained our economy in the middle,” Bautista stated.

He lauded the ARENA-XI officers and all government agencies for considering Malita as recipient of the caravan.

Bravo shared to the media that it was the first time for some directors of the government agencies to reach Malita, and it’s also the first time for most of Malita people to know some of the NGAs.

Said town was the fifth recipient of ARENA-XI’s banner project “Serbisyo Caravan” in the entire region, and the 2nd in Davao del Sur after Sta. Cruz.

The “Serbisyo Caravan” was first brought to Boston, followed by Cateel, both of Davao Oriental in August 2011. Nabunturan of Compostela Valley was the third leg of the caravan held in November last year.

Thousands of Davaoanos benefit from Serbisyo Caravan

MALITA, Davao del Sur- The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) Region XI, in partnership with the 10th Infantry Division, conducted the 5th leg of its banner project “Serbisyo Caravan” for the residents of Malita, Davao del Sur last April 27.

Over 2,000 Malitaños benefited in the said convergence of programs and services provided by 44 national government agencies.

Among the agencies that rendered its service was the Department of Labor and Employment, which brought an array of employment facilitation services.

The Department of Health assisted rural health units in its distribution of medicines, information, education, and communication materials.

The Department of Education gave information and dissemination drive to the parents about its newly implemented K+12 program and distributed school supplies. The Commission on Higher Education provided information and dissemination campaign and skills demonstration.

“The purpose of the ARENA XI is to bring the government services directly to the people which complemented the Peace and Development Outreach Program of the 10th Infantry Division,” ARENA XI President Director Achilles Gerard C. Bravo said.

“Through the Peace and Development Teams, the government was able to identify the issues and concerns prevailing in the far-flung communities, thus, the appropriate and just service were brought to the people,” Bravo stated.

Malita Municipal Mayor Benjamin P. Bautista Jr. said that the presence of the military not only provided security and but also facilitated the delivery of basic social services even in far-flung areas.

“The government has different programs for different social issues. Through the spirit of Bayanihan, Serbisyo Caravan converged and collaborated the programs of the government and other peace and development stakeholders in delivering the basic social services to the people," stated Brig. Gen. Ariel B Bernardo, commander of the 10th Infantry Division.

Bureau of Customs gears for automation

DAVAO CITY- The Bureau of Customs is gearing towards an automated environment.

This was announced by Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon during a press conference at the Marco Polo Davao held yesterday (April 27).

According to Biazon, the computerized systems provide lesser decision-making for its personnel. Human intervention in customs processes has been the root of corruption in the agency to which Biazon said the long-lasting solution is increasing automation.

Among the automation programs is the National Single Window (NSW) which is a network of 40 government agencies interlinked together to hasten government transactions.

For example, National Food Authority permits for the importation of rice can be passed on through the NSW, these would also apply to other government agencies the result is a higher degree of integrity for these government permits and documents.

Biazon said the timetable will be 2013, where they will be interconnected with the Asean Single Window.

The customs commissioner also downplayed fears of job cuts through automation as he said the Customs is geared towards front-end services. Unlike modern Customs in other countries which relies on post entry audit, where the goods are audited after they have been received by the companies.

The present front-end set-up is that the customs will look at the papers while the goods are kept in container vans. Under the automated set-up, the BOC will be more on looking towards faster entry but more stringent audit.

“Automation doesn't mean lesser personnel, in fact we would be hiring more auditors to audit these consignees. The customs chief added.

DENR-11 launches political boundary survey in Sta. Cruz

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-11) launched on Tuesday, April 24, its P7.2 million-worth political boundary survey in this town in order to define the metes and bounds of the 18 barangays here.

DENR-11’s Lands Management Service (LMS) headed by Regional Technical Director (RTD) for LMS Atty. Felix S. Alicer will spearhead the survey.

Alicer oriented the barangay captains about the survey, emphasizing that it is one of the priority programs of DENR secretary Ramon J.P. Paje.

A technical conference will also be conducted for barangays with boundary conflicts, so that agreements can be reached if possible and their boundaries can be defined, he said.

He said the LGU will not be spending any amount for the survey and technical assistance because it is being funded by the World Bank.

The DENR-11 official urged the LGU to take advantage of the assistance to solve political boundary conflicts.

Sta. Cruz vice-mayor Alexis C. Almendras who represented Mayor Joel A. Lopez said that the political boundary survey for their municipality is a much-awaited activity.

Almendras assured the full support and cooperation of the LGU with DENR in implementing the survey.

Alicer explained that the political boundary survey is very important in order to hasten the quieting land titles in the country, thus preventing unnecessary land conflicts in the future.

“Political boundaries give a particular city or locality areas up to which a particular political entity can exercise its authority. It will also provide bases for the tourism, infrastructure, economic and development plans of a given Local Government Units (LGUs),” he stated.

Political Boundary Survey is one of the activities under Cadastral Survey provided for in Republic Act 2259 or the Cadastral Act.

Cadastral survey is a survey of extensive areas covering a municipality, city or a portion thereof for general land registration proceedings, agricultural development, and other purposes. It is geared towards establishing project control points, political boundaries and lot surveys.

The launching of the political boundary survey in Sta. Cruz was attended by Barangay Captains, municipal officials and representatives of other concerned agencies.

New minimum wage hike in Region-XI effective May 1

DAVAO CITY- By May 1, minimum wage earners in Davao Region will get a P10 increase in their Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

The additional P10 in the worker’s COLA will increase the minimum wage of the region from the P260- P291 to P270-P301.

This is the second tranche of the P15 COLA increase set under Wage Order No. RB XI-17 issued last December 2011. The first tranche of P5 was implemented in January 1 of this year.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-XI) issued the Wage Order No. RB XI-17, which sets the pay of non-agricultural workers and those employed in the retail and service establishment with more than 10 workers to P301 per day.

This consists of a basic minimum wage pay of P286 and aggregate COLA of P15.00. Meanwhile, those in the agricultural sector will get P276 and those working in retail and service establishments with less than ten workers will receive P275.

According to Department of Labor and Employment – XI regional director Joffrey Suyao, the RTWPB initiated a hearing to determine the necessity of a wage increase in the region last September 2011.

The findings prompted the board to issue such COLA adjustment.

Suyao said numerous hearings and deliberations were conducted and tripartite board members were armed with current data of regional economic indicators to ascertain the levels of adjustment.

He said the wage order will help minimum wage earners get reprieve from dealing with increasing prices of basic commodities.

Aside from the new minimum wage hikes, DOLE-XI will be conducting massive job fairs in two large malls in Davao City; the SM City Mall and the Gaisano Mall of Davao. These two-day job fairs will be held from May 1-2 as part of the May 1 Labor Day celebrations.

EAGA airlines complement efforts for subregional connectivity

DAVAO CITY- Airline industry leaders from the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines (BIMP) urged for collaborative efforts between the private sector and government institutions to fast track and enhance air transport connectivity within the subregion.

During the 1st Equator Asia Air Access Forum and Airline CEOs Summit, executives of Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, MASWings, SEA Air, and Mid-sea Express have expressed their respective concerns in taking on the BIMP routes, specifically infrastructure support, market availability, and cost of doing business.

The airline summit served as a venue for all players and stakeholders of the airline and travel industries to discuss and thresh out strategic recommendations aimed at improving air connectivity within the subregion.

Of the three concerns raised, business cost was considered the most pressing issue, considering that addressing it would require policy interventions.

In the meantime, Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla reassured industry players that the Philippines is currently working on improvements to facilitate more flights from the country to other BIMP destinations.

“We need to come up with the right regulations and infrastructure, and we are happy to say that these are already being demonstrated. Infrastructure programs are already being rolled out to improve our air transportation sector,” Lotilla said.

Moreover, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla reported that the country offers 50 percent discount on filing, regulatory, landing, take-off, parking, navigational, and passenger terminal fees to all interested airlines that wish to operate East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) routes.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport also proposed for EAGA countries to come up with a flowchart of their respective application processes and streamline best practices that will be identified.

Industry players remain optimistic on achieving better air linkages as MASwings Managing Director Capt. Mohd Nawawi Bin Awang revealed during the summit that the company is looking into reviving the Davao-Manado flights.

“We are looking at the market very closely; we want to ensure sustainability. We do not want to go here for three to five months and then be gone,” Awang said.

The sustainability of such flights has been one of the hurdles of several airline companies that took the BIMP routes, including Bouraq and Sriwijaya Airlines which have stopped flying due to low load factor.

Mid-Sea Express has been flying missionary flights from Davao to Manado for three months now, and will increase flights to twice a week next month.

President Benigno Aquino III along with other BIMP-EAGA leaders discussed strategic thrusts of BIMP-EAGA in the fields of enhanced transport, power and communication, connectivity, and tourism development during the BIMP-EAGA leaders summit held earlier this month.



"We reaffirm our commitment and support to the BIMP-EAGA cooperation initiatives and pledge to step-up our individual and collective actions to more effectively address the hurdles in realizing the BIMP-EAGA vision and goals," said the leaders in a joint statement.

Industry players also encouraged local government institutions to take part in creating more market for BIMP-EAGA routes, promoting their respective cities to neighboring BIMP destinations and vice-versa.

Meanwhile, Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA said efforts are continuously done at the EAGA level to strengthen implementation of the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) on air linkages, which aims to foster trade and investments initiatives, as well as tourism.

The MOU is set to be amended by the four countries this July, to include additional designated points such as Bandar Serigawan (Brunei); Balikapan, Makasar, Manado, Potiana, and Takaran (Indonesia) Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan, Miri, Sandakan, Tawau, and Mulu (Malaysia); and Davao, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro (Philippines).

BIMP-EAGA is an economic cooperation formally created in 1994 covering the entire Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Irian Jaya; Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines.

The ASEAN subgrouping is primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by boosting intra-EAGA trade, tourism and investments.

Sta. Cruz town benefit in “Serbisyo Caravan”

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur- The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies of Region 11 (ARENA-11) recently conducted, “Serbisyo Caravan,” a one-stop-shop delivery of government services to the residents of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur last April 20.

The municipality of Sta. Cruz, with the cooperation of the 39th Infantry Battalion, hosted the first stop of the caravan, where about 30 national government agencies (NGAs) provided their respective programs and services to the people.

Beneficiaries were gathered at the municipal gym, while some services from the different NGAs were provided at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

“The caravan aims to bring the national government programs closer to the people, especially to the vulnerable sector of the communities,” Lt. Col. Oliver R. Artuz, Battalion Commander of the 39th IB said.

Government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) introduced to the residents the Beneficiary Update System, Compliance Verification System and Grievance Redress System while the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) conducted registration and membership to senior citizens in the area.

The Department of Health (DOH) assisted rural health units in the distribution of free medicines and provided information and communication (IEC) materials to educate residents on health issues. They also initiated free consultation and check-up.

The National Food Authority (NFA) distributed rice through rolling stores, and held advocacy campaign on their programs. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) conducted demonstrations and consultancy services on food processing.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) distributed land titles while the Department of Agriculture (DA) handled technical education on its different banner programs.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Land Transportation Office (LTO) conducted lectures to applicants for proper licensing.

Meanwhile, Department of Education (DepEd) provided information on the K+12 program to the Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs) and distributed school supplies and bags to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) students and Badjao elementary pupils of Apo Beach. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) tendered information on K+12, skills demonstration and awarding of scholarship grants at the Sta. Cruz National High School.

Consultations, dialogues and information drive with their beneficiaries and the general public were conducted by agencies like Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Audit (CA), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), among others.

“Serbisyo Caravan is a novel approach to public service,” ARENA President and DBM Director Achilles Gerard C. Bravo said.

The 39th IB, aside from providing security to all of the participants, also facilitated dental extraction and other related dental services through the services of military dentists.

Optimized plant operation provides reliable power supply in DavSur

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur- After generating over 600 GWh last year from its run-of-river hydropower plants in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and Davao, Hedcor attests its high reliability when it comes to power generation.

“We are producing power efficiently and reliably for more than 30 years now,” Hedcor Vice President Boy Jabonillo said.

“Reliability for us means we deliver to our customers as promised. Making our plants reliable to produce power is a year-round responsibility,” Jabonillo added.

He pointed out three reasons why Hedcor hydropower system is reliable. First, Hedcor makes sure its plants are readily available to generate power.

Hedcor maintains its plant through constant monitoring of equipment and its annual preventive maintenance schedule for optimum performance throughout the year. In fact, the plants are averaging 98 percent reliable.

Second, Hedcor continues to build more run-of-river hydropower plants to address the growing demands of power in the regions.

In Mindanao, there are five plants that Hedcor is currently developing, it will bring 55 MW of additional capacity to Davao City, Davao del Sur and Bukidnon in 2014.

“We have a unique operational ability in which we can provide energy regularly to power our customers because water is accessible in our area,” Jabonillo said.

Lastly, Hedcor intensifies its watershed management activities including reforestation, river clean up and riverbank stabilization as the company’s operations is highly dependent on available water.

“A healthy watershed ensures us water will always be available,” he said.

Hedcor, the AboitizPower wholly-owned subsidiary, is the largest developer of run-of-river hydropower systems with 19 generating plants in the country.

The five projects are under application with the Department of Energy as Renewable Energy (RE) Projects under the Renewable Energy Act.

Once RE Contracts are issued, two of the five plants can start constructing while the three can progress to detailed design. Without the RE Contract, Hedcor cannot get the other permits to progress the project to construction.

Nat’l govt agencies pool services in DavSur town

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur– Over a thousand residents here have benefited today from a convergence of programs and services delivered by some 47 national government agencies of Davao Region in this town.

The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in the region (ARENA-XI) brought its banner project “Serbisyo Caravan” in Sta. Cruz to provide various services to the constituents from all its 18 barangays.

“This is one way of informing our people that the taxes they pay to the government is being used properly, and that services go directly to the people,” said ARENA-XI President and Department of Budget and Management Regional Director Achilles Gerard C. Bravo.

Bravo led the other NGA regional executives in this one-stop-shop delivery of various services in Sta. Cruz which was identified by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-XI) and the 10th Infantry Division to be one of the priority recipient towns in the province.

Among the agencies that provided its services was the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-XI) which handed over a P410,000 cash assistance to the local government of Sta. Cruz for the purchase of disaster preparedness equipment.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-XI) turned over a symbolic check worth more than P300,000 as livelihood assistance to the women leaders of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe from Barangay Tibolo.

The assistance aims to support the basket weaving and food processing enterprises of the tribal women’s group which has 141 members. DOLE-XI also provided loan assistance worth P200,000 to the Benepisyaryo ng Repormang Agraryo ng Darong (BREAD) Multi-Purpose Cooperative for the coop’s coconut vinegar and wine production undertakings.

The LGU of Sta. Cruz received P1 million livelihood assistance from DBM-XI.

The Department of Education (DepEd-XI) distributed 150 school bags for kindergarten pupils from the Badjao tribe of this town.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-XI) handed over 30 units of tuna hand line and 200 pieces of mangrove seeds to the fisheries office of Sta. Cruz LGU.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-XI) distributed 18 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) covering 39 hectares to its agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The Department of Health (DOH-XI) distributed medicines worth P25,000.

Aside from providing security to the participants in the caravan, the 39th Infantry Battalion also facilitated dental extraction and other related dental services.

The other services such as consultation and dialogues, lectures, advocacy campaign, information drive, rice distribution, among many others were provided in four separate sites within the heart of Sta. Cruz.

Governor Douglas Cagas lauded ARENA-XI’s initiative of holding the “Serbisyo Caravan,” saying that the convergence of different agencies to deliver their respective programs direct to the communities signified the sincerity of the government programs.

“This is something unusual, but memorable. This (Serbisyo Caravan) is the only in the entire country,” Cagas stated in his message during the opening program of the activity.

Bravo said “Serbisyo Caravan is a novel approach to public service.”

He said that the caravan will also be brought to the municipality of Malita as the second priority recipient for Davao del Sur. The activity is slated on April 27, with same agencies and services to be provided.

Sta. Cruz is the 4th recipient of the “Serbisyo Caravan.” The previous caravans were held in Boston and Cateel of Davao Oriental and Nabunturan of Compostela Valley.

Visit Samal Island program set to be bigger this 2012

DAVAO CITY- A bigger Visit Samal Island (VSI) program will be held this year with multi-sectoral partners linking up for the event.

This, according to Cleto Gales, Island Garden City of Samal City administrator, who announced that the city is only allocating a budget of P250,000. Gales cited the partnership of the different sectors particularly the private businesses in pushing for the program which links up the LGU, the Department of Tourism Region XI, and the private sector tourism stakeholders-the Samal City Resort Owners Association.

The VSI campaign, which used to be a month-long event is now extended up to three months, lasting until July. The event is marked by cultural presentations, sporting events, beach parties, concerts, and other forms of merriment.

The Visit Samal 2012, banners the tagline “Where life is fun,” is the second staging of the unique marketing strategy started last year which aimed at increasing tourism arrivals and putting Samal on the map as the destination of choice for domestic and local tourists.

According to Gregorio Boy Sarmiento, the private sector representative in the VSI executive committee, they have created many first-time events which would draw in more tourists. Among these are the Davao Gulf Line Fishing contest, Miss Body Beautiful pageant, and a Level III shooting competition.

Also from May 4 to 6, the island will play host to an environment, arts, and music festival dubbed as the Pigkayasan Festival under the initiative of the 2nd district congressional office under Representative Anton Ladgameo.

The VSI 2012 will formally open this April 21, with grand motorcade around Samal Island and a silent drill conducted by the visiting cadets of the Philippine Military Academy.

Jennifer Cariaga, tourism officer of the city said that they are hoping to build on the success of last year’s VSI.

“According to DOT data there was 64% increase in tourism traffic compared to the same period last year,” Cariaga said citing the positive effect of last year’s campaign.

"We are targeting a 100 percent increase in tourism arrivals,” Cariaga added, hoping that a much bigger VSI would bring in more tourists to Samal.

DOTC set to upgrade PH airports

DAVAO CITY- The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) intends to upgrade the capability of airports in the country based on volume of air traffic demands, a DOTC official said Wednesday.

DOTC Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla who represented DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas to the 1st Equator Asia Air Access Forum and Airlines CEO Summit held in the city told Davao media practitioners in an interview that the upgrading of airports is anchored on “economic realities” which basically depends on the volume of passenger flight demands of an area to a specific destination.

He added that DOTC is improving the terminal facilities of the Davao International Airport, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Visayas and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“We are enhancing facilities in our major gateways to help realize our goal of 10 million foreign visitors and 30 million domestic travelers by 2016,” he stated.

Lotila also said that DOTC has allotted about P500 million for the installation of additional security screening equipment in all 45 airports nationwide with commercial flights.

Early this year, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III approved the P1.16 billion allocation to improve NAIA 1 so it would comply with world-class airport standards.

NAIA 1 now handles 7.3 million annual count of passengers, which go beyond its 4.5 million designed annual passenger capacity.

DOTC also allocated P500 million for the architectural, engineering and interior design to improve the internal facilities of NAIA 1, and P300 million for the construction of a rapid exit taxiway to address its runway congestion.

Another P20 million was also allocated for the complete rehabilitation of its 72 toilets.

On the other hand, Lotilla said the construction of a new airport worth P4.46 billion in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in anticipation of increased tourist influx now that the 8.2-kilometer long Underground Subterranean River has been listed in the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Lotilla took note of other major airport projects foreseen to enhance the country’s capacity to handle international and domestic air traffic.

One of which is the P7.85 billion Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental and that the workplan for the P5 billion Bohol Airport “is also in the process of being finalized.”

He said the Laguindingan Airport construction is “95 percent” way to completion.

DOTC website reveals that it has lined up among its major projects, the New Legaspi (Daraga) Airport Development with funding allocation of P3.075 billion, due for implementation starting this year until 2015.

Lotilla conveyed commitments of DOTC under the helm of Sec. Roxas, to liberalize air transport policies, upgrading airports outside Metro Manila and eventually linking them with international destinations “including countries in Equator Asia."

Equator Asia refers to the ASEAN sub-region Brunei-Darussalam, Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area.

DOTC viewed this move as in line with Executive Order No. 29 signed by President Benigno Aquino last year, setting the "Open Skies” policy of the Aquino administration, and giving foreign carriers access to international airports all over the country.

Among the outside Metro Manila airports which DOTC eyes to open up for international air traffic include Davao, Zamboanga and Palawan as these are “strategically close to destinations in BIMP-EAGA,” Lotilla said.

ARENA-XI ‘Serbisyo Caravan’ goes to DavSur

DAVAO CITY- The Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies Region XI (ARENA XI) is set to bring its banner project “Serbisyo Caravan,” a one-stop-shop delivery of government services to the province of Davao del Sur this month.

The ARENA-XI Serbisyo Caravan will have its first stop in the municipality of Sta. Cruz on April 20 where about 30 national government agencies (NGAs) are expected to provide their respective programs and services to the constituents.

The general assembly of beneficiaries and the general public will be gathered at the municipal gym, while the various services from the different NGAs will be provided at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

Among the NGAs that would render its services to its beneficiaries is the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which is slated to put up three consultation desks for its Beneficiary Update System, Compliance Verification System and Grievance Redress System. DSWD will also conduct Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) registration and membership.

The Department of Health will assist rural health units in the distribution of medicines worth P25,000 and information, education and communication (IEC) materials.

Consultation, check-up and blood pressure screening will be given by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples to its IP beneficiaries. The National Food Authority will distribute rice through rolling stores, and will hold advocacy campaign on NFA Programs, while the Department of Science and Technology will offer demo on candle making and consultancy services on food processing.

The Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Environment and Natural Resources will have its distribution of land titles during the caravan, while the Department of Agriculture will handle technical cliniquing on its different banner programs.

The Department of Transportation and Communications, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board, and Land Transportation Office will conduct lectures.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) will also be distributed by the Department of Energy.

The education offices will deliver its programs at Sta. Cruz National High School.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to provide information and dissemination drive on the K+12 program to the Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs), and distribute school supplies and bags to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners and Badjao elementary pupils of Apo Beach.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will also tender information and dissemination campaign, skills demonstration and awarding of scholarship grants.

Consultations, dialogues and information drive with their beneficiaries and the general public will be conducted by agencies like Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Government Service Insurance System, and Professional Regulation Commission, among others.

“Our Serbisyo Caravan is a novel approach to public service,” stated ARENA-XI president and DBM Director Achilles Gerard C. Bravo. Bravo said the caravan aims to bring the national government programs closer to the people, especially to the vulnerable sector of the communities.

“Let us make this work. Let us join hands and labor together in providing direct services to our various stakeholders,” he urged the NGAs in the region.

The Serbisyo Caravan in Davao del Sur will be the third leg of the one-stop-shop delivery of government services in Davao Region. After Sta. Cruz, the caravan will be brought to Malita of Davao del Sur on April 27. ARENA-XI’s banner project was launched in August last year in Davao Oriental as the first province recipient, followed by Compostela Valley Province in November.

MGB eyes students, private geologists for mapping

DAVAO CITY- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region XI (MGB-XI) is considering the help of geology students and private mining geologists to fast-track the completion of its 1:10,000 scale geo-hazard maps.

According to Regional Director Edilberto Arreza, there is only one government geologist working in the region and had mapped at least 16 towns. “ Eight lang ang makaya ng isang geologist sa isang taon.” (one geologist can only do eight towns in one year) Arreza said. There are about 47 towns and cities in Region XI. The geo-hazard mapping program is scheduled to be completed by 2014.

If we have more geologists we can map more towns, says Arreza. One plan they are pushing is to utilize students particularly OJTs or on-the-job trainees to help the MGB in mapping. He said the students will be paid while working on the maps.

Another plan is to seek the help of mining geologists to map the towns adjacent to their mining sites.

Arreza said that a Memorandum of Agreement or MOA is being readied for the schools and mining companies, with the added manpower the MGB can cover as many towns as possible. He says that the 1:10,000 geo-hazard maps are more detailed than the existing 1:50,000 geo-hazard maps made earlier by the MGB.

The MGB is facing a shortage of government geologists to do the job of geo-hazard mapping with many geologists lured by the promise of big pay offered by private corporations. A licensed government geologist receives around P28,000 pesos (Salary Grade 18) while licensed geologists earns as much as P300,000 in the private sector.

New hydropower plants to be constructed in DavSur

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur- The construction of two hydropower plants which intends to provide an additional power capacity of 13.7 megawatts to the 42.5MW Hedcor Sibulan Hydropower Plant in this part of Southern Mindanao will start soon.

The Hedcor Tudaya Hydroelectric Power Plant 1 and 2 will be put up in the upstream of Sibulan Hydro Plant A and downstream of Sibulan Hydro Plant B located at Barangay Sibulan in the municipality of Sta. Cruz.

The plants will generate 76 GWh of renewable energy annually for Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO) and Davao Light and Power Company in Davao City starting in the first quarter of 2014.

“Our team is processing to finalize all the necessary requirements and other documents,” said Engr. Bill Haboc, Hedcor assistant vice-president for Engineering and Development in Mindanao.

Haboc said the company is set to construct the structures pending the RE contracts which the Department of Energy is currently processing.

“Our engineers are now polishing the design,” he added.

The pre-construction development of the projects was made easier for Hedcor's exploration team because the potential sites of the two plants, especially that Tudaya 1 became accessible after Hedcor opened and rehabilitated 49 kilometers of farm-to-market roads and access road for the Sibulan plants.

The exploration of the additional hydro power plants started in 2010 and the project design began last year.

The Tudaya Hydroelectric Power is an expansion of the run-of-river Hedcor Sibulan Hydropower Plant which started operations in 2010.

Hedcor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower Corporation, is the largest developer of run-of-river hydropower plants in the country with 19 hydropower plants in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and Davao.

The company plans of building more plants in Mindanao, aside from Tudaya 1 and 2 in Davao del Sur, another one in Davao City and two in Bukidnon.

PNoy set to give policy directives on Mindanao power issue

President Benigno Aquino III is set to meet the power industry stakeholders from different regions in Mindanao today in the Mindanao Power Summit at Waterfront Insular Hotel, this city.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, in a press conference held yesterday, April 12, confirmed the attendance of President Aquino in the summit organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) today.

"The President wants to find solutions to this power problem as fast as we can but to make sure not to jeopardize all these efforts," said Almendras.

MinDA Chair Luwalhati R. Antonino will give the overview of the summit, while Almendras will present the Mindanao Power Situation Outlook.

Industry sector representatives such as the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, Business Sector/Mindanao Alliance, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Mindanao, local government units, civil society groups, and Mindanao lawmakers are also set to present various issues to be addressed by the department.

President Aquino will give his response to the issue and concerns to be raised by the stakeholders during the morning session. Policy directives are expected from him to directly answer concerns of the stakeholders.

Almendras also said that the President will make an announcement today about information and transparency.

"We hope that we could make these solutions work together. I don't want to pre-empt the outcome of the summit but our aim is to come up with both short and long term solutions to this problem," he added.

Antonino appealed to the public that the President’s visit tomorrow will be spared from any other issues, saying that the power situation will be the only agenda, which she saw as a pressing concern worth giving prior attention.

She said the President would be asking and discussing with sectoral leaders in line with their presentations of short- to long-term measures “that stakeholders wanted acted jointly by the government and the industry players.”

About 300 guests are expected to attend the power summit today, composed mostly of national and local government officials and representatives from the various sectors in the society.

ON3 Pitching Competition Mindanao on

DAVAO CITY- The Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) in Sillicon Valley, United States of America is calling for entries to the 2nd “ON3 Pitching Competition Mindanao” slated on April 13-15, 2012 at Martha’s Place, Brokenshire College, Madapo Hills, Davao City.

This is in partnership with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Davao Incorporated, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 11, Department of Trade and Industry-Davao City Field Office (DTI DCFO), Davao City Local Government Unit (LGU) and Plug and Play Tech Center.

The ON3 Pitching Competition is a business plan competition among start-up companies and students involved in technology including consumer web, Internet, mobile, wireless, social media, gaming, software, clean, and biotech.

Companies must have: 1) an authentic and owned IP with at least 2 founders who aim to solve a real and big problem; 2) an existing product, with market traction and revenue; and 3) must be looking for funding and/or global business development.

Winners will represent the region and become one of up to 20 companies to compete in the national finals during the Science and Technology Week this coming July in Manila and will have a chance to win a three month immersion program in Silicon Valley, USA and allowance.

A mentoring session on how to make an effective pitch will be conducted by Jojo Flores of Plug and Play Tech Center based in Sillicon Valley, USA to those who will qualify in the competition.

Interested start-up companies may submit completed ON3 Pitching form with Executive Summary to jojo@plugandplaytechcenter.com on or before April 13, 2012. Entry forms are available at DTI-DCFO at telephone number (082) 2240511 local 208 and look for Arriel Nengasca.

Video draws interest on Davao’s tourism sites

The tourism video commissioned by the Department of Tourism Region XI and posted on social media sites has drawn interest to several tourism attractions in the region.

“Many are already asking and inquiring on how to go to these sites,” DOT-XI Regional Director Art Boncato describes the reception to the video when it was first posted on social networking sites like Facebook and Google Plus.

The DOT-XI commissioned South Spot, a Davao City-based production company to make the 3-minute regional version of the It’s More Fun In the Philippines video which shows breathtaking locales situated in the region these included islands, mountains, waterfalls, caves, beaches, forests, indigenous culture, peculiar wildlife, man-made attractions and other points of interests.

Boncato said that many have been inquiring about Aliwagwag falls in Davao Oriental which is among the many sites featured prominently in the video. He also said the office got inquiries about surfing in Davao from those who have watched the video.

"What the video showed is that marami pa pala mapupuntahan dito sa Davao (that there many places to visit in Davao.)" Boncato added.

Mark Glenn Cabrera, a college student and blogger says that the video will surely entice more tourists in coming to Davao. “It (video) captured the essence that Davao boasts of many ideal destinations for tourists to check out. “

For Davao City-based travel blogger Olan Emboscado the video is a great way of promoting the many must-see, must-experience places in the whole region.

“It showcases what the Region really is - a great place of great interests from Highlands to Islands. From verdant mountains to pristine white sand beaches, from exotic waterfalls to beautiful underwater world - things we enjoyed so much in our region,” Emboscado said adding that the video further inspired him to travel to other locales featured in the video.

Emboscado who writes travel stories in his widely-followed blog the Travel Teller praises the DOT for utilizing the internet to spread the video.

“People are now into Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other social media networks. Photo sharing and dissemination of information could be done effectively. Also, most of the tourists these days are inspired to visit one destination because they have read and seen in it on social media networks,” Emboscado added.

For his part Boncato also said that aside from attracting tourists the video also makes the stakeholders aware of these beautiful places and jumpstart the initiative in making these places more accessible to visitors.

ICT group seeks more innovative businesses

DAVAO CITY- The ICT Davao, an umbrella arm of Information Technology stakeholders in Davao City seeks the growth of more innovative industries in the city.

According to Sam Matunog, president of the Davao Software Industry Association said that they are encouraging more businessmen to become angel investors or venture capitalists so as to build a culture of innovations in the city.

An angel investor is a business capitalist who provides a capital start-up for persons with innovative ideas, while a venture capitalist invests in a product or a start-up company with strong market potentials.

They have also launched ON3 Pitching Competition to promote innovation in business. It is organized by the ICT Davao together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-11), Department of Trade and Industry-Davao City Field Office (DTI DCFO), city government of Davao and the Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play Tech Center.

The event is a business plan competition where individuals or groups pitch their products or ideas which are either classified as green solutions, biotechnology or ICT (Information Communication Technology).

The ON3 Pitching Competition will be held this coming April 13 to 15 at Martha’s Place in Brokenshire College, Davao City.

During the first day, pitchers are made to undergo a conference with pitching coaches. The second day is the contest proper where the pitchers will present their products or ideas to a panel of judges led by Deny Roja, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist.

Shortlisted pitchers will then compete in the nationwide contest during the Science and Technology Week this July in Manila. Top three pitchers will then go for an immersion program in Silicon Valley, California.

Last year two of the three shortlisted pitchers came from Davao City. Piclyf, a photo-blogging application and RAD solutions, a green technology alternative to hospital waste incinerators.

Matunog hopes that the ON3 will lure more start-up companies out in the open. He said that there were 11 pitchers in 2011 and he hopes they would double in number by this year's ON3.

Matunog a local venture capitalist himself said they could come up with success stories from start-up companies during the event so as to encourage and inspire more local businessman to look into investing in innovative businesses in the city.

Duterte Prioritizes Welfare Of Constituents

DAVAO CITY– Acting City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte disclosed that public interest remains his top priority in governance.

Speaking in his public affairs program, “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” on Sunday, he pointed out that he will support his daughter, City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, if she’s correct in implementing the law.

Duterte said he will also point out the errors if the mayor is wrong in her actions.

“This is government. This is not our property. We are working here for the people,” he pointed out.

Duterte admitted that indeed there was a disagreement between him and the city mayor in the implementation of the gun ban which suspended the license to carry firearms outside residence last March due to its constitutional infirmities.

He said he was against the move because of its implication on due process and equal protection of laws, two important constitutional guarantees to the lives of the people.

Even when the mayor is his daughter, Duterte said he cannot just keep silent on matters of public interest.

Duterte said he also expects the mayor to criticize him and the City Council if they also commit mistakes in the performance of their duties.

He said the mayor has a mind of her own even during her growing up years.

“I did not raise my daughter as a robot. I expect her to go up as a lawyer, and if she thinks her stance is right, fine. Let’s debate on it so that the people will know, because it will be the people who will benefit from it at the end of the day,” Duterte said.

Earlier, Duterte-Carpio said she could have disproved the vice mayor’s opinion on the legality of the gun ban in court being the only entity that can rule on the legitimacy of any measure.

She said she felt awkward responding to the issues raised by the vice mayor on the gun ban in public because she wanted to maintain her respect for elders.

Defense academy to launch information drive in Davao City

DAVAO CITY- A five-member delegation from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) will visit Davao City on April 25, 2012, to introduce the Masters in National Security Administration (MNSA) Program in the region.

Dubbed “MNSA Information Drive”, the NDCP has been conducting pro-active, aggressive, nationwide marketing initiatives nationwide.

Areas visited include Batanes, Cebu, Bohol and Bicol and Ilocos Regions.

A total of 300 executives from different government agencies and private organizations are expected to attend any of the three MNSA info drives in Davao (April 25, 9-11AM), Gen Santos City (April 26, 9-11 AM) and Koronadal (April 26, 2-4PM).

The MNSA is a free one-year full-time academic scholarship program consisting of the thirty-nine (39) units of multi-disciplinary courses involving the political, economic, socio-cultural, techno-scientific, environmental, and military dimensions of national security; three integrating courses of national security management, policy science, and research methods; and a master’s thesis.

Qualified nominees are recruited in their capacities as national defense leaders, senior officials of government agencies and local government units, and top level executives from the private sector.

For more information with regard to the MNSA Program and the MNSA Information Drive, you may contact Segfrey D Gonzales through telephone nos. (02) 912.9125 or (02) 911.6001 loc 4558. You may also log on to the NDCP website at: www.ndcp.edu.ph.

DOE Assures Power Supply Improvement

DAVAO CITYThe Department of Energy (DOE) has assured energy stakeholders in Mindanao that the government is taking its best efforts in addressing the power situation in the island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She said there is one power barge existing with a 32-MW capacity but is only generating 5 MW due to its location in a cement plant.

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

DOE’s short-term solutions include the installation of the Mindanao Coal-fired Power Plant of the STEAG State Power, Inc. which has a 10 MW un-contracted capacity, and the acceleration of energy efficiency program.

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

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

The DOE official said the 180-MW Pulangi Complex run-off river hydropower plant will need to be repaired starting this month to operate in its full generation capacity.

For the period of April to May, Pulangi river will be at its lowest water elevations which will reduce power generation of about 100-130 MW.

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

Combined power sources lead to minimal power cost hike in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY- Power consumers in Mindanao may only have to pay additional 50 to 80 centavos per kWh to their electricity cost as electric cooperatives have started getting supply from power barges like Therma Marine.

During the stakeholders’ meeting initiated by the Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday at the Grand Regal Hotel, this city, Energy Undersecretary Josefina Patricia Asirit explained that consumers will only have to pay a very minimal additional amount from the generation of power from expensive technologies like power barges and blending it with power generated from Mindanao plants.

At present, there are two power barges in Mindanao operated by the Aboitiz-owned Therma Marine Inc. (TMI).

The government instructed for the blending of the cheap power generated from Agus and the costly power generated from power barges and diesel plants as an immediate solution to the power shortage.

“The cost of power is cheapest here in Mindanao. And even if rate adjustments will be made, consumers in Mindanao will just have to pay P3.50 as power cost, still way cheaper than the existing approved rate in Luzon and Visayas which runs from P5 to P6,"

The official clarified that consumers need not worry on certain claims that rate adjustments could go as high as P12 per kWh. “You will just be paying the cost of the blended mix.”

Asirit cited the experience of some electric cooperatives which showed that the increase in the power cost runs at 50 centavos per kwh.

“This is the easiest solution we could think of but it also comes with a manageable cost,” she said.

The energy department is asking the consumers to bear with these adjustments as the stakeholders are doing both short- and long-term solutions to this power shortage.

Energy officials expect these adjustments to be temporary as the government pursues to find other sources like the rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi hydropower complex and the building of more power plants in Mindanao.

DavSur town all set for environment festival

DAVAO CITY- The Municipality of Sta. Cruz will be holding the 12th staging of the Pista sa Kinaiyahan (Nature’s Festival) this coming April 26 to 29.

The festival will feature events which are geared towards environmental preservation and conservation. Among the activities include, an art and fashion exhibition featuring recycled materials converted to art works, Mangrove planting, and Mt. Apo clean-up.

Pista sa Kinaiyahan will also feature adventure sporting events aimed at promoting Sta. Cruz as an ideal eco-tourism site in the region.

The festival’s main event is the 2nd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge set this coming April 28 to 29. The extreme sports adventure race will combine four extreme sports disciplines: mountain biking, trekking, white water tubing, and running. This race involves teams to traverse the coastal areas of Sta. Cruz and climb up to the peak of the country’s highest mountain Mt. Apo at 10,000 feet above sea level.

About 46 teams from Australia, Vietnam and Singapore have slated their intention to participate in the race. They will have to beat the record of 22 hours 51 minutes and 42 seconds set by a team from Carmen, Davao del Norte, the inaugural champions during the initial staging of the event last year.

According to Municipal Councilor Fernando Ugdoracion, the local government has budgeted P500,000 for the 2nd Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge, which is being also supported by the Department of Tourism. The event has already gained acclaim as one of the toughest eco-adventure races in the country.

Davao women to lead campaign vs junk foods

DAVAO CITY- Members of the Mothers for Peace Movement in Mindanao (M4P) will take the lead in a “food revolution” campaign or the fight against junk foods in city schools starting July this year.

M4P will launch the Mothers for Peace SuperFood Carts in Davao City in time for the Nutrition Month celebration in July in a bid to promote healthy foods organically produced and cooked by the city’s rural women.

Patmei Ruivivar, program officer of the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) that organized the M4P, disclosed this during the Kapihan sa PIA on March 30 featuring women issues in observance of the Women’s Month.

Ruivivar said the campaign will also support the city government’s ordinance that bans junk foods in schools.

“The food revolution campaign will start in schools to educate parents on healthy foods, and help them change the eating habits of their children,” she stated, mentioning that the Assumption College of Davao is one that adheres to no-to-junk foods policy inside its school campus.

She said the Mothers for Peace SuperFood Carts will be installed in different schools in the city to sell nutritious and delicious foods in food carts.

Davao City will be the pilot area for this health and at the same time economic enterprise for women in Mindanao as part of MCW’s Mothers for Peace Social Enterprise Program.

MCW launched this enterprise program during the Women’s Market that brought more than 20 women’s groups and food producers all over Mindanao in time for the women’s month celebration on March 8 this year in the city, Ruivivar said.

MCW, established in 2001 by Mindanao women leaders, is a non-government organization that advocates for Mindanao peace and development agenda from women’s perspective. The M4P is MCW’s grassroots base.

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